Festa Del Redentore - Venezia 2012 | A traditional festival that lights up St. Mark's bay

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FESTA DEL REDENTORE - VENEZIA 2012

Jan 5, 2012

A traditional festival that lights up St. Mark's bay:

SATURDAY 14TH & SUNDAY 15TH JULY 2012

The Festa del Redentore is a festival that is particularly popular with Venetians as it combines a religious theme with a spectacular celebration that attracts thousands of visitors. On Saturday night, the inimitable setting of St. Mark's Basin hosts a phantasmagorical firework display that lights up the spires, domes and bell towers of the city with a kaleidoscope of colors and reflections. At dusk, just as they have done for centuries, numerous small boats decked out with balloons, decorations and brightly colored lanterns, begin to flock into St. Mark's Bay and the Giudecca Canal. The boats then moor alongside each other and all the participants enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional Venetian specialties while they wait for the firework display that begins at 11.30pm and lasts until well past midnight.

THE HISTORY OF REDENTORE

The Festa del Redentore is a tradition that dates back to 1577. It was first held to celebrate the city's deliverance from a terrible plague and the construction of Palladio's "Redentore" (Redeemer) Church, commissioned for the same reason. The Church, built on the Island of the Giudecca, can still be reached by pilgrims during the festival by means of an impressive 330-metre-long pontoon bridge. The "Redentore" celebrations include a solemn religious service and procession presided over by the patriarch of the city, and the weekend ends with a series of gondola races, organized as part of the "Voga alla Veneta".

What’s included:

Transfer by ACTV ferry from Venice to Fusina terminal.

Private boat from Fusina terminal to Torcello island - from Torcello Island to San Lazzaro degli Armeni Island and from San Lazzaro to Venice downtown.

Guided visit of Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral (Torcello Island).

Lunch in restaurant at Torcello island – 3 courses coffee and drinks included.

Guided visit of San Lazzaro degli Armeni.

Private boat for Reedemer Festival (from 8 pm to 2 am).

Dinner on board.

Live music.

Free bar after dinner.

Tour leader on board.

What’s Not included:

Transportation to Venice.

Accommodation.

Meals not included.

Tips and miscellaneous.