The Feast of  Redentore is among the most felt and appreciated by the Venetians. It is a feast including both the religious aspect with the procession to the Church of Redentore, and the spectacular one, with the gathering of thousands of boats in St.Mark’s Basin as well as the pyrotechnical show that, on Saturday night, fascinates thousands of visitors: a kaleidoscope of colours appears behind the spires, the domes and the belfries of the town. According to tradition well lit boats, perfectly adorned with leafy branches and coloured balloons, gather in St.Mark’s Basin and Giudecca Canal from late afternoon. In the meantime, people on foot, instead, reach the banks of the canals along St. Mark’s Basin, on the Riva degli Schiavoni, at Giudecca, at Zattere, at Salute. Everybody eats, dances and sings both on the banks and on the boats until the striking of 11.30 p.m. when silence falls for the start of fireworks from special boats placed in front of the Punta della Salute. At the end of the show people go on celebrating until the following morning, streaming from the basin and reaching Lido isles and beaches.

The occasion for this not to be missed Feast is the anniversary of the end of the terrible epidemic of 1577 that ended with the building, on Palladio’s project, of the Redentore’s Church, which can be easily reached, nowadays like in ancient times, thanks to the creation, for four days, of an imposing bridge of boats connecting the Zattere to Giudecca. Celebrations include, then, a religious ceremony chaired by the Patriarch and the religious procession, whereas the week-end ends with the Regatta on gondolas, related to the Rowing Season of Voga alla Veneta.

PROGRAMME

Saturday 18th July h. 7.00 p.m.

Inauguration of the votive bridge connecting the Zattere to Giudecca.

Crossing from the Zattere and speeches of S.Em. Card. Patriarch Angelo Scola and the Mayor Massimo Cacciari.

h. 11.30 p.m.

Pyrotechnical show on St. Mark’s Basin

Sunday 19 July from 4.00 p.m.

Rowing season 2009: Regattas of the Redentore, curated by the local authority Tourism Department of Venice.

Regatta for very young people on two-oar pupparini

Regatta on two-oar pupparini

Regatta on two-oar gondolas

h.7.00 p.m.

Holy Votive Mass at Redentore’s Church Giudecca, celebrated by S.Em. Card. Patriarch Angelo Scola, in the presence of the local parish priests and authorities.