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Venice carnival kicks off with spectacular water parade

Venice Carnival kicked off on February 16 and will last until March 5

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 13

Boats sail during the water parade of 'Pantegana' (big mouse) part of the Venice Carnival, Italy

© EPA-EFE/ANDREA MEROLA

This year, Venice Carnival is held from Fenruary 16 to March 5

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

A masked woman checks her smartphone as she sits on a gondola during the water parade in Venice

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Masks have always been an important feature of the Venetian carnival

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

The Venice carnival is thought to have started in 1162, when Venetians spontaneously gathered to celebrate a military victory in Saint Mark's Square

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Boats sail during the water parade in Venice

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

The Venice carnival in the historical lagoon city attracts people from around the world

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

It is now one of the most famous carnival celebrations in the world

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

About three million visitors come to the city each spring to watch or join in the festivities

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

A woman takes a photo with her phone from aboard a ferry during a water parade in Venice

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Masked people stand on a gondola during the water parade, part of the Venice Carnival

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Masked people stand on a gondola during the water parade in Venice

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

The Carnival ends with the Christian celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter

© AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

The Carnival in Venice kicked off on February 16 and will last until March 5. The carnival is thought to have started in 1162, when Venetians spontaneously gathered to celebrate a military victory in Saint Mark's Square. Now it is now one of the most famous carnival celebrations in the world. See the carnival’s water parade in this photo gallery by TASS.

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