We arrived in Verona late in the afternoon on Friday. As luck would have it I descended upon a fabulous parade for Verona's Carnival. (My wife, Margaret chose to take a nap after our long train ride.) It turned out to be Il Venerdi Gnocolàr "Gnoco Friday" or the last Friday of carnevale in Verona. The Veronese celebrate carnevale with their typical dish of gnocchi dressed with melted butter and grated cheese - and sometimes with tomato sauce. The city continues their feasting during lent with bigoli con la sardèla. Bigoli is a big thick spaghetti and sardèla is a sauce with tomatoes and little fish from Lake Garda.

In 1531 the Carnevale Veronese took form thanks to the the generosity of Tommaso da Vico who distributed bread, wine, potatoes and flour to the Sanzenati - those living in the most populous part of the city. It is said to be the oldest carnevale in Italy. The festivities are led by Papà del Gnoco - a king of abundance.

Enjoy these pictures of Carnevale in Verona!!