This is one of the big events in Venice. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of every July and it just so happened that this was precisely the weekend we were in Venice. Great bit of planning!
The festival originates from the 16th century. A terrible plague had engulfed Venice that accounted for almost a third of the population being wiped out. The Doge at the time, Alvise Mocenigo, and the senate decreed that a church dedicated to Christ the Redeemer would be built when Venice emerged from the plague. This happened in the summer of 1577 and the new Doge, Sebastiano Venier, instructed Andrea Palladio to begin work on the Church “Il Redentore” which stands on the Island of Giudecca.
The festival originates from the 16th century. A terrible plague had engulfed Venice that accounted for almost a third of the population being wiped out. The Doge at the time, Alvise Mocenigo, and the senate decreed that a church dedicated to Christ the Redeemer would be built when Venice emerged from the plague. This happened in the summer of 1577 and the new Doge, Sebastiano Venier, instructed Andrea Palladio to begin work on the Church “Il Redentore” which stands on the Island of Giudecca.
Il Redentore, Giudecca.
The end of the plague was celebrated with a feast and the Doge and senators walked across the Giudecca channel on a temporary constructed pontoon bridge to reach the site of the church to attend mass. This tradition has been upheld ever since. A large wooden pontoon bridge is set in place between Zattere and Giudecca that opens on the Saturday Evening at 7pm and is closed the following Evening around 11pm.
Construction of the pontoon bridge.
Typically, families would celebrate with a feast on the Saturday evening. This typically means tons of fish. Most neighbourhoods organise street parties and decorate the common campos with balloons and ribbons. Loud music ranging from traditional Venetian songs right through to the latest techno boom out catering for all ages. Others take to the boats and cruise around the city, complete with DJ spinning the tunes. They all head over to the San Marco basin to continue the party and wait for the main event.
Street party in the square.
Revellers party in the boats.
The hotly anticipated firework display starts around 11:30pm. It has to be seen to be believed. Over 40 minutes of fireworks are let off from the San Marco basin, amazing everyone who have thronged to the fondamentas to witness it. Although it appears to be an old Venetian tradition to say “Not as good as last year”. After the fireworks and the tradition is to head to the beaches of the Lido to wait for the sunrise.
Fireworks.
Sunday is a day of worship and mass is held at the Redentore. Thousands of people flock over the bridge to attend. There are many stalls set-up on the fondamenta selling typical fairground attraction stuff. Candyfloss, cold drinks, coconuts. The traditional lottery game known as the “Pesca” does a roaring trade. Everyone’s a winner. In the early evening attention returns to the Giudecca canal as the Venice Regatta begins. Its an amazing event and if you are lucky enough to be in Venice on the third Sunday in July you will be in for a real treat.
Venice Regatta.
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