From our blog itVenice
And what a party it is, despite the Coronavirus, in compliance with all safety measures. It will be a party, however, without perhaps the most important appointment. Expected by the Venetians but also by the many tourists attracted to the lagoon by the Festa del Redentore. There pandemic in fact, it overshadowed the extraordinary fireworks display that every year, on the night of the third Saturday in July, lights up the San Marco Basin. Illuminating domes and bell towers for almost an hour.
The decision was in the air. Despite the fact that until the last moment, and with all the necessary precautions, the municipal administration of the lagoon city had ensured that the event was carried out as per tradition. Until the end, in fact, when the mayor Luigi Brugnaro decided to suspend the show. Too risky, as it would have inevitably involved, on the banks of the Basin of Saint Mark, gatherings of people difficult to control. “A message of responsibility because in recent days the data on the health emergency in our region have indicated a slight increase in the rates of contagion. We could not risk it - underlined the first Venetian citizen - Whoever comes to Venice can do it because they will find a safe city ".
The Feast of the Redeemer commemorates the end of a serious plague five centuries ago
“Famous” night that of the Redeemer. A real city festival, the highlight of the summer, very much felt and loved by the Venetians. It recalls the end of a plague (and this reference itself has its own relevance) that scourged the city between 1575 and 1577, causing about 50 deaths in two years, almost one in three Venetians. Begging for the end of the epidemic, the Senate of the Serenissima asked for divine intervention by vowing to build a church dedicated to the Redeemer. In 1576 the first stone of what became the Church of the Redentore was laid Giudecca.
Giudecca is the island closest to the historic city from which the homonymous canal divides it. In fact, there is no bridge that connects it to the Venetian historic center. Except precisely in the days of the Redentore when a bridge of barges is set up to connect the Giudecca to the Zattere. Once the Doge, the Signoria and all the people crossed it to visit the Palladian Church of the Redentore. Tradition that is still preserved today.
This year the party will open on the evening of Friday July 17, with the inauguration of the Votive Bridge which will be attended, in addition to the mayor, by the Patriarch of Venice, Francesco Moraglia, together with the main city authorities. The bridge will then remain open to the public until midnight on Sunday 19 July. The celebrations will continue on Saturday 18 July when the Grand Canal it will be transformed into a large stage furrowed in several moments by four “cool nights” that will diffuse different music along the banks, on a path that will start from the railway station, touching Punta della Dogana, up to Giudecca. In the evening more music, with concerts in various areas of the city, thanks also to the collaboration of the exhibitors. There will be no fireworks display, a key moment of the evening, and for this reason too it will be a different Redeemer. However, traditional open-air tables on the Giudecca will not be prohibited and the banks of the canals will always remain accessible, without prejudice to compliance with anti-Covid regulations.
Tradition dictates the dinner on the boat in the San Marco Basin
And the boats? Il Redentore in a boat with table set, music and decorations is a must almost as much as the fireworks. Here too we will have to adapt. The traffic of boats in the San Marco basin will be regulated, distances must be respected in some way even on board the boats. The show will continue in the afternoon of Sunday 19 July with the traditional Venetian rowing regattas in the stretch in front of the Giudecca island. The program: at 16 pm the competition of the very young, at 16.45 pm the pupparini with two oars, at 17.30 pm the race most important, the one on gondolas with two oars.
As per tradition, between sacred and profane, a little spiritual a little enjoyment, so is the Redentore 2020. For the fireworks show we will have to wait for the Redentore edition 2021.
Ph. Credit Vela Spa
