The Museum of the Carnival in Viareggio is located in the new complex "the City of the Carnival" - "Cittadella del Carnevale", designed by the architect Francesco Tommasi. It is divided into several sectors, each of which Museum visitors can get acquainted with a sesquicentennial history of the famous carnival of Viareggio, which is considered the second most popular after the Venetian and one of the most famous in Europe. Here you can learn about how to make huge figures made of papier-mache on top of a colorful action, to see the local limestone from which they are made, and generally to follow the whole process of making shapes from design to final product. Most of the figures made of clay and papier-mache are exhibited in the Museum of the mask, model heads, bas-reliefs, figures of animals and human figures that showcase the skills of local artisans and their ability to turn an ordinary stone into works of art. Some of the exhibits can be moved by means of cables and levers, and some masks can be put on – this usually causes a storm of excitement among the young visitors of the Museum. Special attention is given a collection of vintage carnival posters and photos taken in the 1920-ies, and models of the most famous carnival of the platforms of the same period. Interestingly, the same technique, which are the figures of papier-mache, used for furniture production, theatrical and operatic scenery and decorative items.

Viareggio's carnival is held annually since 1873, the year – in that year, the wealthy residents of the city for the first time decided to make a colorful parade with flowers and festivities. But several residents Viareggio in protest against high taxes, decided on this day to take to the streets in masks. The first winner of the parade in 1883, the year has become a platform "And" Quattro Mori" - "Four Moors", which was an exact replica of the same statue in Livorno. The "face" of the carnival is the clown of Burlamacco, established in 1931, the year the artist uberto Bonetti, - his figure all year round can be seen on the promenade Lungomare.