 The Redeemer's Day is one of the most traditional and particular celebrations in Venice, reminding each year both Venetians and foreign spectators the awful pestilence that stroke the city back in 1567, which killed more than 50.000 people in two years. As even history books teach us, in order to calm God's wrath, thought to be responsible for the plague, the Senate of the Venetian Republic decided to build a temple dedicated to Christ the Redeemer. The celebration of the Redeemer now takes place on the night of the third Saturday of July, in memory of the same day of the year 1577, when the “Doge” announced that the city was finally free from the contagion. Today, Christ the Redeemer is celebrated not only around the Temple, but in various “campi” (squares) and “campielli” (little squares). The Regata and the traditional fireworks always top off this event in a spectacular manner. |
