The Festa del Redentore is one of the Venetians' most treasured festivities, and is a tourist attraction thanks to the spectacular firework display. It falls on the third Sunday in July, when Holy Mass is held in the presence of the Patriarch, followed by a religious procession.
But the special moment of the festivity takes place on Saturday night: with the unbeatable backdrop of Saint Mark's Basin, a play of lights and reflections produce a kaleidoscope of colours with the silhouetted spires, domes and bell towers of the city behind. The weekend ends with a gondola regatta.
The Plague
In the three years between 1575 and 1577 the Serenissima was tormented by the plague: aided by the high density of the population, the disease spread through the city, causing terrible losses. Almost 50,000 died, which was more than a third of the city's inhabitants.
The Vow
On September 4, 1576, the Senate decided that the Doge should announce the vow to erect a church dedicated to the Redentore (Redeemer), in return for help in ending the plague.
The end of the plague
On July 13, 1577, the plague was declared definitively over and it was decided that the city's liberation from the terrible disease should be celebrated on the third Sunday in July.
The Redentore today
At sunset the well illuminated boats, decorated with boughs and coloured balloons, begin congregating in Saint Mark's Basin and the Giudecca Canal. In the boats people eat traditional food, waiting for the firework display, which begins at 11.30pm and lasts until after midnight.
Redentore Program
Third Saturday in July
- 7.00 pm - Celebratory opening of the Thanksgiving Bridge connecting the Zattere to the Church of the Redentore on the Island of Giudecca
- 11.30 pm - Fireworks in St. Mark's Bay
Third Sunday in July
Redentore Regattas organized by the Municipality of Venezia:
- 4.00 pm - A children's twin-oared "pupparini" boat regatta.
- 4.45 pm - Twin-oared "pupparini" boat regatta.
- 5.30 pm - Twin-oared gondola regatta.
- 7.00 pm - Thanksgiving Mass at the Church of the Redentore on the Giudecca, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Patriarch, with the city authorities in attendance.
Special Public Transportation Service
On Saturday in the night, Trenitalia wil arrange special trains from Venezia to the main towns in the Veneto. ACTV will adjust local means of trasportation, both on water and in the mainland.