The Redentore: Behind the Stage of Venice's most important celebration
The Feast of the Redentore is the most anticipated event of the Venetian summer—a celebration that transforms the lagoon into a stage of lights, colours and centuries-old traditions. When the sky bursts into fireworks and the canals fill with decorated boats, Venice reveals its most festive and authentic soul. Discovering the Redentore behind the scenes of Venice's liveliest celebration means entering a world of meticulous preparations, time-honoured rituals and atmospheres that only those who truly live the city can fully understand.
From the adorned boats floating across the St. Mark's Basin to the tables set with traditional lagoon dishes, every detail tells a story of devotion and togetherness. Exploring what lies behind this magical night means immersing yourself in Venice's deepest identity, where the sacred and the celebratory merge into an unforgettable experience shared by residents and visitors alike.
The historical origins of Venice's most beloved celebration
The Feast of the Redentore has its roots in one of the most dramatic chapters in Venetian history. When a devastating plague wiped out a third of the lagoon's population, the Senate of the Serenissima vowed to build a votive temple dedicated to Christ the Redeemer in thanks for the end of the epidemic. The commission was entrusted to the architectural genius Andrea Palladio, who designed a majestic church destined to become one of the most recognisable landmarks of the Giudecca.
Although the construction of Palladio's temple was completed decades after it began, the site immediately became the heart of a celebration uniting religious devotion and popular festivity. The Republic's vow was more than a formal act: it was a solemn promise to honour the Redeemer every year for delivering the city from catastrophe. This tradition has been preserved over the centuries, evolving into one of the most cherished events for Venetians.
What makes this anniversary truly unique is its ability to blend sacred and secular into a single collective experience. Behind the scenes of Venice's liveliest festival lies a story of suffering, hope and rebirth that still resonates deeply in the hearts of the Venetians.
The floating bridge and the religious procession
One of the most iconic and evocative elements of the celebration is the votive floating bridge connecting the Zattere to the Redentore Church on the Giudecca. This temporary structure, nearly 330 metres long, is assembled in the days leading up to the event and allows the faithful to cross the Giudecca Canal on foot, just as religious confraternities did centuries ago.
Walking across the bridge feels like stepping out of time. The wooden planks sway slightly underfoot while the water flows on either side, creating a sensation of floating between sky and sea. The religious procession held during the day features city authorities, clergy and hundreds of Venetians renewing the ancient vow of the Serenissima.
The most solemn moment takes place inside Palladio's church during the high mass, where the atmosphere is charged with emotion and spirituality. The bridge, however, is not only a place of worship—it becomes a gathering point where families meet and children run excitedly, eager to experience the magic of the night ahead.
How venetians experience the Redentore
For true Venetians, Redentore night is far more than a festival—it is an identity ritual that marks the summer and strengthens the sense of belonging to the lagoon community. Preparations begin days in advance as families plan their boat outings, prepare decorations and organise the traditional dishes that will accompany the evening.
The day before the fireworks is dedicated to preparing the boats. They are cleaned, decorated with colourful garlands, lanterns and flowers, and transformed into floating living rooms. Some Venetians own boats passed down through generations, each carrying memories and family traditions that make every Redentore a moment of connection with the past.
At sunset, the St. Mark's Basin fills with hundreds of anchored boats, creating a living mosaic of lights and colours. On board, the traditional dinner features sarde in saor, polenta, watermelon and chilled white wine. The atmosphere is relaxed and joyful, with music, laughter and toasts accompanying the wait for the fireworks. This is the essence of the Redentore behind the scenes of Venice's liveliest celebration: a moment of genuine sharing that goes far beyond tourist folklore.
Traditional boats and the lagoon atmosphere
During the Redentore, Venice's canals become a floating museum of traditional boats. Elegant gondolas, agile sandoli, sturdy topi, colourful mascarete and fishing bragozzi all gather in a vibrant tribute to the maritime culture of the lagoon. Each vessel has its story and function, but on this special night they all share the same purpose: securing the best view of the fireworks.
Gondolas, Venice's most iconic symbol, are decorated with great care by gondoliers, who often use them to dine with family or close friends. Sandoli, smaller and more manageable, are ideal for navigating the inner canals and reaching hidden corners of the city. The mascarete, traditional rowing boats, often host groups of young people who paddle in sync, creating graceful choreographies on the water.
The atmosphere on the water is electric. The reflections of lights on the waves, the clinking of glasses, voices drifting from one boat to another—everything combines into a unique urban symphony. When the first fireworks finally explode in the sky, silence falls over the lagoon for a brief moment, followed by applause and shouts of wonder echoing from shore to shore.
Where to enjoy traditional dishes during the celebration
Food is an essential part of the Redentore experience. Those who don't have a boat—or prefer celebrating from the shore—can enjoy traditional Venetian dishes in many spots offering spectacular views of the fireworks. The Zattere and the Giudecca waterfront fill with improvised tables where groups of friends share dinners of cicchetti, baccalà mantecato and fried seafood.
Many Venetian bacari and osterias host special evenings with dedicated menus featuring the celebration's traditional dishes. Sarde in saor, with their sweet-and-sour blend of onions, raisins and pine nuts, are the symbol of the night, served with white or yellow polenta. Bigoli in salsa, fresh watermelon and crisp lagoon white wine complete the menu.
For those seeking a more intimate but equally atmospheric experience, some waterfront restaurants offer dinners on terraces overlooking the lagoon—an ideal setting to enjoy Venetian cuisine reinvented with a contemporary twist, without missing a moment of the fireworks. Prices tend to be higher during Redentore night, but the magical atmosphere and the quality of the experience make it entirely worthwhile.
Experience the emotion of Venice's most authentic celebration
The Feast of the Redentore is a truly unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the most authentic soul of Venice, discovering traditions that have endured through centuries. Behind the fireworks lighting up the sky and the boats dotting the lagoon lies an extraordinary cultural heritage shaped by devotion, conviviality and love for the city.
Whether you experience it from a boat, the waterfront or a panoramic terrace, this celebrationwill gift you unforgettable emotions—and the feeling of having been part of something truly special. Don't miss the chance to explore all the unique events and experiences that Venice offers throughout the year.
