Venice events: Feast-day of the Madonna della Salute - November 21st

The holiday is in memory of another bout of pestilence (over 50 years after the terrible plague of 1575-77), which lasted for two years from 1630-31, and the subsequent vow by the Doge to obtain the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

Even today, thousands of inhabitants 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.

Every year for the Salute, a temporary bridge (The votive 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).

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.

---

>>> Go to the Venice events calendar