Festa del Redentore in Venice

If you are going to have a holiday then you would not find better place for recreation than Italy. Here you can enjoy wonderful beaches, azure sea, very rich ancient history and hospitality of the Italians. Throughout the year in Italy there is a large number of holidays. Whatever town you visit you will find there a lot of fun, interesting activities and spectacular grand festivities.

One of those holidays will be held in Venice on the third Sunday of July. From 18 to 19 July Venetians will celebrate the holiday of Festa del Redentore. It was named in the honor of the Savior, who saved Venice from the terrible plague, which in 1575 - 1577 killed about 50 000 inhabitants, almost a third of the city's population. When the plague has receded in gratitude for getting rid of the epidemy on the Djudecca Island was built a church of Il Redentore.

On Saturday 18 July there will be a religious procession with the participation of the Patriarch of Venice. From the Doges Palace to the Church of Il Redentore for pilgrims will be constructed a pontoon bridge of 330 meters long, which will allow to enter the temple for a festive liturgy. The opening of the floating bridge will be held at 19.00.
During the Redentore Venice’s canals are full of beautiful boats, which Venetians adorn with sparkling garlands and balloons. Festive boating lasts all day. In the evening shining with lights gondolas arrive to the basin of St Mark and channel of Djudecca in anticipation of the culmination of the festival. At 23.30 the sky over Venice will explode with fantastically beautiful fireworks. During the colourful festive people traditionally have their dinner right in the boat. Those who are not able to watch the firework show while boating in the gondola, watch the fireworks from embankments along which are also standing tables. Water surface is bewitchingly flickering with coloured lights. It is very difficult to stop watching such a beauty.
At 00.30 on the square of San Marco will begin musical entertainment. Festivities will continue throughout the night. There will be only singing, dancing, laughing and fun.
On Sunday 19 July at 16.00 in the Venetian lagoon will begin festive regatta on the gondolas.