The Celebration of the Redentore 16-17.07.2011

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July 2011

The Celebration of the Redentore is to commemorate the construction of the Church of the Redentore, in accordance with the wishes of the Venetian Senate (4^th September 1576) as an ex-voto in thanks for the liberation of the city from the plague in 1575-1577, which caused the death of over a third of the city’s inhabitants in just two years.

When the plague ended in July 1577, the decision was taken to celebrate the liberation of the city each year by putting up a votive bridge.

Every since, on the third Saturday in July, a long votive bridge of boats is assembled across the Giudecca Canal, linking the island with the Zattere in front of the Church of the Spirito Santo, thus making it possible to reach the Church of the Redentore on foot.

This celebration is remembered not only for its religious character, but also for the magnificent firework display that is held on the night between Saturday and Sunday in the Basin of Saint Mark’s as well as for the three regattas with typical Venetian boats, that takes place on the following day, thus attracting a vast number of spectators from all over the world.

There is probably hardly one Venetian citizen in the city who does not head towards the Basin of Saint Mark’s or the banks along the island of the Giudecca where tables and chairs are ready for an open-air dinner with friends and relatives to celebrate this Saturday evening, which climaxes with a marvellous display of fireworks.

The hotel Rigel in collaboration with the agency Michelangelo Travel offers an interesting proposal to participate in the front row at the event.