On November 21 of each year, for almost four centuries, the “Feast of the Madonna della Salute”, or simply “Festa della Salute” has been celebrated in Venice. It is an event deeply felt in the city by Venetians and pilgrims who come from all over to thank the Virgin Mary for some miraculous healing. It’s not a very touristy festival, so it’s a good opportunity to feel part of the real Venetian community.
The Festa della Salute shares the same roots as the “Festa del Redentore“: in fact, it was born from a plague epidemic of 1630-1631 (told by Manzoni in “I Promessi Sposi”). Desperate, the doge Nicolò Contarini and the patriarch Giovanni Tiepolo organized a procession of prayer that gathered all the surviving citizens and lasted three days and three nights. The Venetians made a solemn vow to the Madonna that they would build a temple in her honor if the city survived the epidemic. In a few weeks the contagions diminished until they stopped completely, but left a death toll of about 47,000 (about a quarter of the population), including the doge and the patriarch.
The government of the Serenissima fulfilled its vow and built the majestic Basilica of the Madonna della Salute in the area of the Dogana da Mar, clearly visible from San Marco. Other churches were built throughout the territory of the Republic, so that it is also celebrated in Trieste, Istria and Dalmatia. The feast was established on November 21, the date on which the faithful still thank the Madonna for the health of their city.
Website: www.basilicasalutevenezia.it
Location: Basilica della Madonna della Salute, Venice
Schedule: November 21, 2021
