Venice carnival: Masked revellers celebrate city's festival

Image source, AFP

Image caption, The carnival has been held for centuries

Revellers wearing elaborate masks and costumes have taken to the streets of Venice to open the city's centuries-old carnival officially.

The event is a public party leading into the Roman Catholic fasting month of Lent which begins on 18 February.

It opened at noon on Sunday with the Flight of the Angel ceremony, a theatrical tradition which takes place in St Mark's Square.

The celebrated carnival was first held in the 11th Century.

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Visitors arrive wearing elaborate masks

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Inside a Venice coffee shop on the carnival's first day

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Revellers pose in St Mark's Square on Sunday

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Visitor's are encouraged to wear imaginative costumes

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Central Venice was packed with people

Image source, AFP

Image caption, The carnival was once a favourite of European royalty