the Regata of the Redentore

The Feast-day and the Regata of the Redentore (Christ the Redeemer) (the 3rd Sunday in July). The Church of Redentore (designed by Palladio) was erected in 1592, as a votive offering after the end of a terrible plague, on the island of the “Giudecca” and is granted to the convent of the Capuchin friars. The Feast of the Redentore is still very deeply felt by the Venetians and is celebrated in boats so that they can admire the fireworks in the Basin of Saint Mark’s and dine on local dishes.
The “Palio of the Marine Republics” (June). Four cities (Pisa, Amalfi, Genoa, Venice) host the important regatta in rotation showing off their athletes in tests of ability in rich historical costumes.
The “Regata Storica” (the first Sunday in September), which has continued unchanged for more than 600 years. It is an important feast-day which sees the boats which have made the history of the “Serenissima Repubblica”, parade along the Grand Canal and revives their memorable deeds for a day. The route of the Regata went from the east-end of the city, through the Grand Canal up to “Santa Lucia”, near to “Cà Foscari”, “La Machina”, a covered floating pontoon which hosted the authorities, was erected. At the end of the Regata an aquatic procession took place, while numerous spectators watched from the balconies of the elegant patrician palaces.
In October one of the most prestigious international marathons take place, the Venice Marathon, which calls the most important athletes from all over the world.
The Feast-day of “S.Martino” (11th of November) celebrates the Saint who cut his own cloak in two with his sword to offer half to a poor man. On this day venetians eat a typical sweet-pastry biscuit which is modelled in the form of Saint Martin on horseback and the children go from house to house and shop to shop banging ladles and spoons on old pans to attract attention and gain gifts of coins and sweets.
The Feast-day of the “Madonna della Salute” (21st of November), in occasion of which a votive bridge of boats is constructed, connecting the “Calle” near the Church, over the Grand Canal, to “S.Maria del Giglio” (Saint Mary of the Lily) on the opposite bank for the pilgrimage of the Faithful. This Church, also using one of Longhena’s designs, was erected in 1672, as a thanks for grace received from the “Madonna Della Salute” (Health) after having freed the city of a plague.