by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Paolo Polidori – mayor of Muggia, Nicola Delconte – vice mayor of Muggia
The 72nd edition of the Carnevale Muggesano, one of northeastern Italy’s most distinctive Carnival celebrations, was officially presented on Saturday at the Ugo Carà Museum, marking the start of a week-long program that will culminate in a large-scale parade of allegorical floats on Sunday, February 15.
The festivities will run from February 12 to February 18, transforming Muggia’s historic center into a pedestrian Carnival zone with music stages, children’s events, visiting bands and food stands. The program includes daily activities aimed at families and young people, with recurring events such as children’s Carnival workshops, live music evenings and roaming brass bands throughout the old town.
The central event remains the masked parade of allegorical floats, scheduled for Sunday, February 15, starting at 1 p.m. Eight historic Carnival companies will take part, each presenting a themed float and costume group. As in previous years, the parade will be free to attend, while seating in the grandstands will require a ticket. The parade will also be livestreamed on the official Carnevale Muggesano website and YouTube channel.
In case of bad weather, the parade will be postponed to the following Sunday.
Alongside the main parade, highlights include guided tours of Muggia’s historic center organized by PromoTurismoFVG, visits to the historic Rosenfeld sponge factory, a traditional communal “megafrittata” offered in Piazza Marconi, and the revival of ancient Carnival customs such as Tutti a Ovi, when masked groups visit homes and taverns. The celebrations will conclude on Wednesday, February 18, with the symbolic funeral rites of Carnival and the traditional bonfire known as Brusemo Cornelio.
This year, local authorities have introduced new security measures, including a QR code required for non-residents to access the historic center during peak events. Full details and traffic restrictions are published on the Municipality of Muggia’s official website.
The Carnival also reflects its growing cross-border dimension. Muggia and Koper have coordinated promotional efforts, with Koper’s Carnival parade scheduled for Saturday, February 14, reinforcing cultural ties in the upper Adriatic region.
Tickets for grandstand seating go on sale on February 2 through Ticket Point outlets and online. The municipality has reserved a limited number of free seats for residents aged 75 and over and for people with disabilities and their companions.
Further information, including the full program and safety regulations, is available at carnevaldemuja.com and on the Municipality of Muggia’s website.
