Festa della Madonna della Salute (November 21st, 2009)Back to the events list
On the Grand-canal in Venice, across from the Doge's Palace stands the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. This majestic architectural masterpiece has a special history, and a special religious holiday related to it.
Back in 1630 there was a plague epidemic in Venice, taking the lives of approximately one third of the city population. The head of the senate, Doge Nicolo Contarini, decided to seek divine help and promised to build a Basilica in honor of the Virgin Mary if the epidemic ended. In November 1631 the plague ended and the authorities of Venice hurried to fulfill their promise by asking architect Baldassarre Longhena to create a project for a new basilica.
The construction process lasted for over 50 years. When the work was finally over, the basilica was consecrated to Madonna della Salute (the mother of good health), and a mess was served in honor of the plague cure.
Since then, every day on the 21st of November (the holiday of Madonna della Salute) the people of Venice organize a procession going to the San Marco Piazza, and over the floating bridge they cross the Grand-Canal and walk into the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Thousands of people in Venice participate in the event in order to obtain the blessings of Madonna. Many of them carry candles. Candles and various sweets can be purchased in form of the Basilica on the Festa della Madonna della Salute in Venice.
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