Festa del Redentore
The Festa del Redentore (Festival of the Redeemer), or simply Redentore, is a celebration to commemorate the liberation from the longest wave of plague that Venice experienced, which lasted from 1575 to 1577. Since then, the celebration has taken place every year on the 3rd Sunday in July. On a similar occasion, in gratitude for being liberated from the plague of 1630 to 1631, the Festa della Madonna della Salute takes place on November 21st .
With the decision of the Republic of Venice on September 4, 1576, a church for the Savior (Redentore) was to be built, the Redentore Church . Celebrations have been documented since 1577. Today a boat bridge is being laid over the Canale della Giudecca , which connects the Zattere with the Chiesa dello Spirito Santo on the Giudecca .
Concerts take place on Friday. The opening on the following day is the blessing by the Patriarch of Venice on the steps of the Redentore Church as soon as the 330 m long bridge is completed around 7 p.m. and is open to the procession participants. The procession leads to the Giudecca . Masses follow the procession.
Every year, fireworks are lit on the Bacino di San Marco half an hour before midnight , and hundreds of boats gather for it. An opulent supper is taken; concerts follow on St. Mark's Square . Numerous trattorias remain open throughout the night.
On the following day, three traditional regattas take place, which are opened by the youngest, followed by two- rowed pupparini , who in turn have two-rowed gondolas . On Sunday evening at 7 p.m. there is a mass under the direction of the Patriarch.