esplora
21st November 2020
The Festa della Salute is probably the least “touristy” of festivities and evokes religious feelings among the city’s inhabitants.The holiday is, like the Redentore, in memory of another bout of pestilence, which lasted for two years from 1630-31, and the vow by the Doge to obtain the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Even today, we visit the main altar of the imposing Salute Church on November 21 to give thanks, and a strong symbolic tie remains between the city and the Virgin Mary.
A magic atmosphere :
Those who are in Venice on the day of the Salute can experience a sincere and heart-felt atmosphere that is religious without being bigoted and is closely connected to the history and tradition of the city. Lengthy queues of people crossing the votive bridge and reaching the majestic Church of the Salute on November 21 bear witness to the city’s intense relationship with the Madonna to this day.
The votive bridge:
Every year for the Salute, a temporary bridge is built on boats crossing the Grand Canal, connecting the area of San Moisè and S. Maria del Giglio (in the Saint Mark neighbourhood) with Longhena’s basilica (in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood). Tens of thousands of people make the pilgrimage to pay homage to the Madonna and to light a candle asking her to keep them in good health.
Holy Masses, at every hour, from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm
10:00 am Mass celebrated by Patriarch Msgr. Francesco Moraglia 10.00 pm Celebration of Compline (evening prayer)
