Festa del Redentore

The festival that tells the story of Venice

The Festa del Redentore is much more than a fireworks show: it is the identity ritual of the Serenissima. It originated in 1577 when the Venetian Senate vowed to build a temple to the Redeemer if the city was freed from the plague epidemic that, between 1575 and 1577, wiped out almost a third of the population. The church, a masterpiece by Andrea Palladio, stands on the island of Giudecca, and every year Venetians reach it in procession across a floating votive bridge about 330 meters long, connecting the Zattere to the Giudecca.

The night of the fireworks

The heart of the festival is the Saturday night. Starting in the afternoon, the St. Mark's Basin fills with boats decorated with balloons, lanterns, branches, and streamers: families and friends dine on board, following a tradition that calls for lean dishes like sarde in saor (sardines in a sweet and sour sauce), duck, and watermelon. Around 11:30 PM, the fireworks display begins, launched from rafts positioned in front of the Giudecca: about forty minutes of fireworks reflecting in the lagoon waters, in front of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

The Sunday of the vow

Sunday maintains its religious and popular character: the votive mass in the Church of the Redeemer, the procession across the bridge, and the traditional rowing races on the Giudecca Canal, featuring pupparini, gondolas, and other boats of the voga alla veneta (Venetian rowing style). It is the moment when the festival returns to its roots, away from the nighttime crowds.

An event by Venice, for Venice

Organized by the Municipality of Venice, the Festa del Redentore is today one of the main summer events in the city and the Veneto region, attracting tens of thousands of residents and visitors each year. For those who wish to watch the fireworks from the water, advance booking for a mooring spot or a boat dinner is recommended.