Health Festival

The Feast of Health as the Redeemer, in memory of another bout of pestilence, that of the 1630-31 biennium, and the subsequent vow by the Doge to obtain the intercession of the Virgin. Every year thousands of people parade on November 21 in front of the main altar of the imposing Salute Church to perpetuate the age-old bond of gratitude that links the city to the Virgin Mary. The votive bridge Every year, for the feast of Health, a temporary bridge is built on boats crossing the Grand Canal, connecting the San Moise area and S. Maria del Giglio (the San Marco) with the basilica of Longhena (Sestiere Dorsoduro) to allow the passage of the procession. Tens and tens of thousands of people make the pilgrimage to pay homage to the Madonna and to light a candle so that she intercede for their good health.

Even today the feast of Health proposes a mixture of feelings and motivations: next to the sincere religious sentiment also lives the more secular and joyful appearance. Benches outside the church sweets. The procession of the faithful who light a candle to the Virgin flows in fact next to stalls of sweets, colored balloons and toys: the two aspects of the festival come together perfectly. Ss. Masses, at every hour, from 6:00 to 20:00.