‘Flight of the angel’ launches Venice Carnival

On the twelfth chime of midday from St Mark's Campanile, fearless 22-year-old student Julia Nasi leapt from the famous bell tower, 80 metres above the huge crowd that had gathered for one of the world's most celebrated carnivals.

In a dress made by theatre costume designer Stefano Nicolao — and with a little help from a crane and some steel wires — Nasi declared she "was not afraid at all".

The carnival, which lasts until March 4th, is thought to have started in 1162 after a military victory. Abandoned for decades, it was resurrected in 1980.