Festa del Redentore

What kind of July would be without the Festa del Redentore?! This event recalls the construction by order of the Venetian Senate (September 4, 1576) of the “Church of the Redeemer” as a votive offering for the city’s deliverance from the plague of 1575-1577. At the end of the plague, in July 1577, it was decided to celebrate with annual effect the liberation from the scourge, with the construction of a votive bridge in the Giudecca Canal.
This celebration is a tradition that is still active after almost five centuries! The votive bridge, which previously consisted of boats tied together, is now a real float bridge that is mounted during the weekend of the festival. As always in Venice, the Sacred is mixed with the profane, and the celebrations are divided into two days. On Saturday, hundreds of boats equipped with large stereos and decorated with colorful balloons, lights and flags, spill over into the lagoon and channels: towards the sunset, all come together in the Giudecca Canal to eat on the boat or on outdoor tables, and wait for the fireworks that lasts from 23.30 besides the Midnight. On Sunday, the tones are more religious, and you can watch the Votive Mass in the Church of the Redeemer, making a rare walk across the bridge from the Zattere to the island of Giudecca; throughout the day are planned races and outdoor shows.
This year the festival will take place on Saturday 20 and Sunday, July 21.