Cavalry spectacles that replaced medieval jousting, such as the ring tilt, were popular in Italy and France. This early device was essentially a cavalry training mechanism it prepared and strengthened the riders for actual combat as they wielded their swords at the mock enemies.īy the 17th century, the balls had been dispensed with, and instead, the riders had to spear small rings that were hanging from poles overhead and rip them off. The word carousel originated from the Italian Carosella and Spanish Carosella ('little battle', used by crusaders to describe a combat preparation exercise and game played by Turkish and Arabian horsemen in the 12th century). This game was introduced to Europe at the time of the Crusades from earlier Byzantine and Arab traditions. Knights would gallop in a circle while tossing balls from one to another an activity that required great skill and horsemanship. The modern carousel emerged from early jousting traditions in Europe and the Middle East. History Early carousels Carousel feast at the Grand-Place in Brussels in 1565 to mark the wedding of the Duke of Parma The Carousel organised in the courtyard of the Tuileries Palace by Louis XIV in June 1662 to celebrate the birth of his son and heir apparent The names carousel and merry-go-round are also used, in varying dialects, to refer to a distinct piece of playground equipment. Sometimes, chair-like or bench-like seats are used, and occasionally mounts can be shaped like aeroplanes or cars. The 'seats' are traditionally in the form of rows of wooden horses or other animals mounted on posts, many of which are moved up and down by gears to simulate galloping, to the accompaniment of looped circus music.Ĭarousels are commonly populated with horses, each horse weighing roughly 100 lbs (45 kg), but may include a variety of mounts, for example pigs, zebras, tigers, or mythological creatures such as dragons or unicorns. For other uses, see Merry-go-round (disambiguation).įrench old-fashioned carousel with stairs in La RochelleĪ carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round ( international), roundabout ( British English), or hurdy-gurdy (an old term in Australian English, in SA) is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders.

Montreal spiral staircases snow