The first certain traces of Rome's carnival celebrations date back to the 12th century. The ludus carnevalarii saw the attendance of the pope since 1143, with events based in the fields below Monte dei Cocci in Testaccio.

Festivities included duels and bullfights, attended by noble families as well as ordinary citizens of Rome, keen to witness the wild events as well as take advantage of the meat from the slain animals. Rome's carnevale festivities were later moved into the city centre to venues such as S. Pietro, Piazza Farnese and - in particular - Piazza Navona.