The Venetian Calendar: a journey through history and tradition

The Venetian calendar is a fascinating chapter in the history and culture of Venice.

Before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the Venetian calendar was used to mark time in the Serenissima, reflecting the unique characteristics and traditions of this city.

Let’s explore the origins, meanings, and curiosities of this ancient dating system.

The Origins of the Venetian Calendar

The Venetian calendar has its roots in the Middle Ages, when Venice was a maritime and trading power.

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which was introduced in 1582, the Venetian calendar began the year on 1 March. This system was closely linked to the seasons and the city’s economic activities, such as trade and shipping.
The Venetian calendar was not only an instrument for measuring time, but also a reflection of the religious and cultural traditions of the Serenissima.

Each month and each holiday had a special meaning, often linked to religious events or civic celebrations.

For example, the month of March, which marked the beginning of the year in the Venetian calendar, was associated with rebirth and spring, a period of natural and spiritual renewal. Religious festivals, such as Easter, were central to the lives of Venetians and strongly influenced the calendar.

Many civil festivals were closely linked to the calendar. The Feast of the Sensa, celebrating the link between Venice and the sea, and the Feast of the Redeemer, commemorating the end of the plague in 1576, were events that marked the year and strengthened the city’s collective identity.

The Venetian calendar, therefore, not only regulated daily activities, but also served to keep traditions alive and to consolidate the sense of belonging and community among the citizens of the Serenissima.

There is a deep connection between the Venetian calendar, time scanning and traditions.

The Clock Tower in St Mark’s Square is somewhat of a symbol of time in the Venetian manner.

An artistic and mechanical masterpiece of the 15th century, its function was not only to mark the passing of the hours (note the division of the hour dial into XXIIII sections), but to connect astronomical and liturgical time to the daily life of the citizens.

One of the dials is an astronomical clock showing the movements of the sun, moon and zodiac constellations. Although it still reflects a Ptolemaic view, this made it an essential tool for determining the dates of religious and civil celebrations.

The clock has an automated mechanism that, on Epiphany and Ascension Day or the ‘Feast of the Sensa’, parades the Magi led by the angel to the top of the tower. This symbolic procession, which still attracts attention today, was a solemn moment and a point of reference for the coordination of processions in St. Mark’s Square.

The Significance of the Month Names

In the Venetian calendar, as in the Julian and Gregorian calendars,
the names of the months reflect the names of Greek and Roman deities associated with the cycles of nature.

March: Marked the beginning of the year. The name comes from the Latin ‘Martius’, dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war. This month represents the overwhelming rebirth of nature and the beginning of spring.
April: The name ‘April’ may derive from the Latin for the sprouting of plants.
May: Derived from the Latin ‘Maius’, dedicated to Maia, the goddess of fertility.
June: Named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth.
July: Originally called ‘Quintilis‘ (fifth month) in the Roman calendar, it was renamed in honour of Julius Caesar (Julius) after his death.
August: Originally called ‘Sextilis‘ (sixth month), it was renamed in honour of the Emperor Augustus.

September: From the Latin ‘septem’, meaning ‘seven’, as it was the seventh month of the Roman calendar.
October: ‘octo’, meaning ‘eight’, as it was the eighth month of the Roman calendar.
November: From the Latin ‘novem’, meaning ‘nine’, the ninth month.
December: From the Latin ‘decem’, meaning ‘ten‘.
January: Introduced later, named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions.
February: From the Latin ‘februarius’, meaning ‘purification’, referring to the purification rituals that took place in this month.

At Caffè Florian, the Hall of the Seasons, decorated by Cesare Rota (ca. 1848-1885), immerses us in the natural cycle of change. The allegories are represented by female figures embodying the seasons. Winter retreats in a silent journey towards hibernation, Spring bursts forth in a riot of abundance and colour, Autumn carries grapes and vine shoots, and Summer is represented by abundant sheaves of wheat.

The introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in Venice

The Gregorian calendar was adopted in Venice in 1582, in line with the rest of Catholic Europe. This change was promoted by Pope Gregory XIII to correct the discrepancies of the Julian calendar, which had accumulated an error of about 11 minutes per year, causing the dates of religious festivals to be out of sync with astronomical events.

The Gregorian calendar was introduced by removing 10 days from October 1582: the day after 4 October was 15 October.

This adjustment made it possible to align the dates of religious festivals with astronomical events, such as the vernal equinox, which was crucial to the calculation of Easter.

The “m.v.” specification in the Venetian Calendar

One of the peculiarities of the Venetian calendar was the use of the abbreviation ‘m.v.’ (more veneto), which indicated dates according to the ‘Venetian way’.

This specification was essential to distinguish the dates of the Venetian calendar from those of the Gregorian calendar, especially during the period of transition between the two systems.

The ‘Venetian mode’ followed the traditional calendar of the Serenissima, in which the year began on 1 March.

This meant, for example, that a date such as ’25 February 1581 m.v.‘ corresponded to 25 February 1582 in the Gregorian calendar.

The abbreviation ‘m.v.’ was therefore essential to avoid confusion and to maintain consistency in official documents and historical chronicles.

An interesting example of how local traditions can persist and coexist with new practices, offering a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Venice.