Venice's marriage to the sea, procession of decorated boats. Religious festivity celebrating the city's recovery from the plague of 1576. A bridge of boats crosses the Giudecca canal to the church of the Redentore, and a big fireworks display is traditionally part of the fun. Fiction films, documentaries and shorts are screened, with the prestigious Golden Lion awarded for best film. This annual boat race, a test of the gondolieri's mettle, takes place on the Grand Canal.
Boats are decorated, spirits run high and the competition is fierce.
Feast of Madonna della Salute , . The Basilica della Santa Maria della Salute was built in thanks for the city's deliverance from the the plague of 1630-31. Today, a procession across the Grand Canal ends at the church, where participants pray for the sick. Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Religious festivity and public holiday.