Every year on November 21, to give thanks to the Madonna for saving the city from the plague, a pontoon bridge is built across the canal to allow a procession to pass from the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio to the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, and a festival lasting several days (Festa della Madonna della Salute) is celebrated with enthusiastic participation, particularly from the residents of Venice. On all days of the festival, church services are held continuously from 8 a.m. until evening.
In doing so, Venice commemorates the end of the plague epidemic of 1630–31. Venice also "owes" the Festa del Redentore to the plague; this festival also commemorates deliverance from the plague, though the one that occurred nearly 90 years earlier.
Address | Campo de la Salute, Dorsoduro 1, 30123 Venice |
Open | April 1 – October 31, daily, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Address | Campo de la Salute, Dorsoduro 1, 30123 Venice. |
Hours | Open daily, usually with a lunch break (morning 9:00 AM–12:00 PM/12:30 PM, afternoon 3:00 PM–5:30 PM). |
Admission | Free for the basilica; there is a fee for the sacristy. |
Dress code | Appropriate attire (shoulders and knees covered) is required. |
Services | Weekdays usually around 6:30 PM (check in advance) |