At the end of the terrible plague that struck the city between 1575 and 1577, the Doge Alvise Mocenigo vowed to build a church on the Giudecca for the liberation from the most terrible scourge that Venice knew: the Church of the Holy Redeemer. Since then, the “Festa del Redentore” has been celebrated on the third weekend of July.
On the occasion of this festivity, a votive bridge of boats is built every year that connects the church of the Redeemer on the island of Giudecca to Zattere. Nowadays it has become an attraction for thousands of tourists, the festivity allows you to enjoy the most authentic and religious side of Venice, but also the more worldly one, dictated by boat parties and spectacular fireworks.
Today the “Redentore” is certainly the most important moment for the city of Venice and its inhabitants, who gather on the banks of the city to dine outdoors. But for those who own a boat the party is an unavoidable ritual; it is a sacred day for every authentic Venetian, a day in which one cannot be out of town for any reason. The real party on boat takes place: music and dancing until late at night, traditional Venetian dishes (pasta e fasioi, bovoleti, sarde in saor, anara col pien) and wine in abundance, usually prosecco. For all, the final appointment in the late evening is in San Marco basin or in front of the Giudecca, with the climax of the party: the pyrotechnic explosion of fireworks. The scenario is superlative: Venice dresses up celebrating itself through a ritual that is always the same. At the end of the fireworks, all boats go in a spontaneous parade along the Grand Canal or reach the Lido to wait for the sunrise on the beach as tradition dictates.
Program of the Festa del Redentore
Saturday:
- 7.30 pm: opening of the Votive Bridge
- 10.30 pm: closing of the Votive Bridge
- 11.30 pm: Fireworks
- 00.30: Re-opening of the Votive Bridge
Sunday:
- 4.00 pm: Beginning of the regattas
- 7.00 pm: Solemn Holy Mass celebrated by the Patriarch of Venice at the Redentore Church on Giudecca
Website: www.comune.venezia.it
Location: Chiesa del Redentore, Venice
Schedule: July 16 – 17, 2022
