HellasCams - :: The Carnival of Patras 2008 :: Intro

The Carnival of Patras, The Carnival of Greece :: 2008 ::

The most important and famous in Greece

The Eve Parade	The Grand Parade	Finishing Ceremony

Saturday, 8 March, 2008	Sunday, 9 March, 2008	Sunday, 9 March, 2008

During Carnival season, the heart of Greece beats in the capital of the Achaea prefecture. Patras carnival is the most important and famous in Greece.
The celebrations open in January 17th and close in the last Sunday of the Carnival season with the burn of the King Carnival and the grand parade.

The carnival spirit then enters every Achaea house and changes the everyday life in Patras.
Patra is a unique festival of life during Carnival season. People form all over Greece and neighboring countries visit it in order to experience unique moments, full of colours and music.
The history of Patras Carnival dates back to the end of the 19th century. Since then it has managed to become one of the most important carnival celebrations in Europe.
The first reports about Patras Carnival date back to 1829. According to history, everything began at the house of the Moretis merchant where the first carnival dance was carried out.

From 1860 the carnival started to have its own feature. It was influenced by other carnivals and assimilated customs from different regions (Ionic, Italian and Mediterranean), which later became inextricable parts of this carnival.

Watch also the video of the magnificent celebration where King Carnival is being burnt. Thousands of fireworks flood the sky then »» (Duration: 18 mins, 52 secs).