Festa del Redentore in Venice

Once upon a time there was the plague. The plague invaded Venice and gave no truce to the local population. It was 1577 and the Venetian Senate, not knowing how to solve the problem and fight the plague back, decided just to pray the Redeemer himself: if the plague had been eradicated, Venice would have built the largest sanctuary of the lagoon in remembrance of Christ the Redeemer.

Probably the Redeemer listened to their prayers, because the plague left Venice and the Senate commissioned the construction of the basilica of the Redeemer to the famous architect Andrea Palladio. Since then, every year the third weekend of July, Venice celebrates the Festa del Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer).

First, a temporary bridge made of rafts is set up to cross the Giudecca Canal to reach more easily the church, in order to attend the traditional Mass. But the party of the Festa del Redentore goes on in the Canal, where on Saturday afternoon, boats, gondolas and any other vessels available, organize an incredible pic-nic on the water.

Even those who do not have a boat can enjoy the show with a good shot from the shore and wait untile the fireworks enlighten all the Bacino of San Marco.

Venetians are particularly jealous of this party and do not like to share it with tourists. Instead, Corte di Gabriela loves making Festa del Redentore a special moment of its guests’ stay.

You can find all the info you need here.