Redentore
Redentore feast commemorates the terrible outbreak of plague which struck Venice in 1575-77. In the past, plague was considered a punishment from God and therefore the Venetian Government decided to make a vow for the deliverance of the city from the plague. They erected a Church as a thanksgiving and dedicated it to Christ the Redeemer. The Church was built on the Giudecca Island and was designed by Anrdrea Palladio, one of the most important Renaissance architects.
The feast: Every year on the third Sunday of July the population visit the Church, crossing a provisional pontoon across the Giudecca Canal, to attend the Holy Mass held by the Patriarch (the Bishop). But the major event takes place on Saturday night with a magnificent firework display in the middle of Saint Mark's Basin. From sunset hundred of boats, decorated with leafy branches and balloons, wait for the performance while people eat traditional food.
