The Festa del Redentore is a festival that is particularly popular with Venetians as it combines a religious theme with a spectacular celebration that attracts thousands of visitors. On Saturday night, the inimitable setting of St. Mark's Basin hosts a phantasmagorical firework display that lights up the spires, domes and bell towers of the city with a kaleidoscope of colours and reflections. At dusk, just as they have done for centuries, numerous small boats decked out with balloons, decorations and brightly coloured lanterns, begin to flock into St. Mark's Bay and the Giudecca Canal. The boats then moor alongside each other and all the participants enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional Venetian specialities while they wait for the firework display that begins at 11.30pm and lasts until well past midnight.

PROGRAMME

Saturday 18 July

19.00 Opening of the votive bridge, a floating bridge (330 metres long) that goes from Zattere to the church of Redentore on Giudecca isle. Crosswalk from Zattere and speeches by S. Em. Card. Patriarca Angelo Scola and the mayor of Venice Massimo Cacciari.

23.30 Firework display in St. Mark's Basin.

Sunday 19 July

From 16.00 Rowing Season 2009: Regate del Redentore, by Assessorato al Turismo del Comune di Venezia Regata dei giovanissimi su pupparini a due remi Regata su pupparini a due remi Regata su gondole a due remi

Ore 19.00 Holy Mass at the church of Redentore, celebrated by S. Em. Card. Patriarca Angelo Scola, in the presence of city's parish priests and authorities.