As a famous ancient Roman saying goes, 'Semel in anno licet insanire', which means 'madness is permissible once a year', has been really applicable for the Fano Carnival. This is arguably considered the most famous of all carnivals in Italy.

This is the time of the year when people go berserk and are taken by the frenzy of festival, which makes them abandon their daily routine and join the festivities. The Fano Carnival seems to rob people of their inhibitions, and people indulge in it with reckless abandon.

It is said to have a rich and far off history.  As famous as this festival is, still many people do not know about this Fano Carnival. It can be traced back from the medieval times during the time when two prominent families reconciled – the Del Casseros and Da Carignanos.

Even though it offers rich history, people are more concerned with the other factors of this festival. It is considered to be the 'sweetest' festival, and it certainly lives up to its name.

People are drawn to this carnival since they are allowed to join a chocolate battle. Yes, chocolates! Hundreds and hundreds of pounds of these sweets are showered by floats onto spectators.

Old and young people alike engage in a no rules type of frenzy. Their bullets are chocolates and they end up covered with it. The whole float parade usually ends in a very brilliant and vibrant show of illuminated colors and lights that can extend up to 2 kilometers.

One of the more famous slogans of this carnival goes by this way: bello da vedere, dolce da gustare which translates to 'beautiful to see, sweet to try'.

The carnival reflects a rich history of cultural tradition.  And, since the year 2000, the city of Fano removed the entrance fees so that everyone is allowed to join the festivities. Every year, new and different activities are added to the ever-famous carnival.

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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