Today 4 February with the laying of the great bull of wood on a platform anchored in front of the Punta della Dogana (near the Basilica of Health) began the celebration of the Carnival of Venice 2012.
The bull was created by Macedonian artists.
This is the reenactment of a Venetian tradition began back in 1162 and now recovered from the carnival.
To thank the Venetian hospitality received, the Patriarch of Grado gave a fat bull that was sacrificed on the morning of Maundy Thursday.
The event was interrupted and resumed over the centuries, up to date where transposition occurs in the form of allegory through the bull of wood.
The sacrifice of the bull will come at the end of the carnival on the evening of February 21, through a large stake
Venice Guide
Venice blog - Venice Italy
