Venice Holidays

Venice Holidays

Holidays in Venice

Venice, just like any other country or city, has its own holidays. Here’s the list and the description of the most famous and celebrated holidays:

La Sensa, a holiday in Venice

La Sensa is a day when Venice, according to a beautiful legend, has married the sea. La Sensa is celebrated on the 40th day after the Catholic Easter; the roots of this holiday lie deep in the beginning of the 11th century when Pietro II Orseolo, the Doge of Venice (nowadays, it’s a modern mayor of the city), won an important sea battle against pirates of Istria and brought back home all the girls that had been kidnapped by them. The tradition to celebrate this holiday appeared in the memory of this victory: people are throwing a ring into sea waters as a symbol of love and loyalty. Almost two centuries later, Sebastiano Ziani, the Doge of Venice at that time, managed to bring two irreconcilable opponents to the negotiating table – Frederick Barbarossa, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, and Pope Alexander II. As a result, they signed the treaty of alliance. In order to emphasize the role of Ziani in this important event, the Pope gifted him a golden ring that had to serve a sacred symbol of this tradition. The holiday is brightly celebrated: the boats with artists dressed in historical costumes sail along Grand Canal towards the direction of St. Andrew’s Gates. The main rules of this venue – no motor boats! Only boats with paddles can participate in the celebration. As soon as the participants reach the gates, the Bishop blesses them. The Doge throws rings into the water near San Nicolo church to symbolize the unity of the city and the element of water, which helps Venice to thrive.

Il Redentore — The Redeemer

Il Redentore, as known as the holiday of Christ the Redeemer, is celebrated since 1577. The third Saturday of June attracts thousands of pilgrims to celebrate Il Redentore. The pilgrims participate in a festive mass on Giudecca island. The holiday appeared because one of the most tragic events of the 16th century – a plague pandemic, which had killed more than half of the citizens in Venice. During the celebration, the procession of believers and pilgrims crosses the bridge along Giudecca channel to reach Christ the Redeemer church. The holiday is famous for its food that is given to every guest and participant of the ceremony. It includes white prosecco wine, fry sardines with marinated onion, and fry cuttlefish and eggs’ halves with anchovies. Masses in churches start at 7:30 p.m., the last mass takes place at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The celebrations are ending with a colorful fireworks.

Historical Regatta

Historical Regatta is an important event for rowers since the 15th century and is celebrated on every first autumn Sunday. Regatta begins at the second part of the day, and every person can participate in this venue (in case he has a rowing boat). However, the sporting competition isn’t the only way to celebrate the holiday. A theatrical performance in the honor of the Queen of Cyprus Catherine Cornaro’s return to Venice in 1489 takes place before regatta itself. The participants of Regatta dress in the costumes of that historical epoch and act as the Doge and his wife, nobles and servants. A remarkable fact is that everyone is moving in the vessels that are decorated to highlight the spirit of that time. After the historical procession ends, the dressed actors are replaced by rowers. The sportsmen are divided into 6 groups. Women also take part in this competition. The victory in regatta aloows the winners to be crowned with laurels and to be respected anf honored by the citizens and spectators. The winner is awarded with a red flag, and the person who takes the forth place is traditionally given a glass pig made by artisans from Murano island.

Venice Carnival

The Carnival of Venice is known across the world: its participants are obliged to wear masks or costumes. The roots of this venue lies in the Roman holiday called Saturnalia. In 1926, the holiday was officially recognized by the government and legitimized. It’s celebrated on the last day before the Great Lent according to the decree of the Senate. However, this day has been traditionally known for celebrations since the 13th century. The day of the Carnival can be called a day of total freedom for each participant, because they forget about their ordinary roles and stereotypes and do everything they actually want covering their faces with masks.

If you’re going to visit Venice in the days of celebrations and holidays, we recommend to book transfer in Venice in advance. Lots of people are usually coming to the Floating City during these dates, and finding a free taxi in Venice seems almost impossible. Think about your comfort in advance!