The Carnival Season in Germany is observed on November 11 at 11:11 AM, marking the beginning of what is often referred to as "the fifth season." Celebrations are particularly prominent in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, where the Rhenish Carnival (Fasching) is celebrated, alongside the Swabian-Alemannic Carnival (Fastnacht) in regions such as Swabia and Switzerland. The Rhenish Carnival is more famous and features significant festivities in Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Mainz, with the Cologne carnival being the most spectacular. Modern celebrations in Cologne date back to 1823, although the first written records of carnival in Germany trace back to the late 13th century. The official carnival is organized by a special committee and includes parades and stage shows, with three individuals designated as the prince (Prinz), the virgin (Jungfrau), and the farmer (Bauer). The carnival culminates on Rosenmontag, the Monday before Ash Wednesday.