Venice carnival

Carnival dates back to 1268, and enjoyed its heyday in the 18th century when it was an essential stop on the Grand Tour. Mussolini banned it in the 1930s, and it was only revived again in the late 1970s Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

A family wearing costumes rest on a bench in Piazza San Marco Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

There are dozens of types of masks, and the making of them has turned into a cottage industry Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

The most traditional, and expensive, are made out papier mâché Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

The lagoons and canals add a filmic and surreal quality to proceedings Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

Costumes become ever more exotic and elaborate Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

Among other events, the city hosts on a number of masked balls over the 10 days Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

Processions invade the streets at all hours Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP

And Carnival really comes into its own at night ... when the flirting behind the safety of the masks begins Photograph: Christopher Simon/AFP