The Feast of the Madonna della Salute

Every November 21st, Venice seems to stop — or rather, to move all together toward a single destination: the Basilica of the Madonna della Salute.
The Feast of the Madonna della Salute is one of the city’s most beloved traditions, an event that needs no fireworks or lavish celebrations. A simple bridge of boats, a lit candle, and the scent of sweet stalls are enough to feel the true soul of Venice.
If you happen to be in the Lagoon at this time of year, you won’t find a festival designed for tourists, but a heartfelt moment shared by Venetians, lived with the same devotion it’s had for almost four centuries.

The Feast of the Salute was born out of darkness. In 1630, Venice was devastated by the plague, which claimed tens of thousands of lives and brought the Republic to its knees. In the midst of tragedy, the Venetian Senate made a solemn vow: if the city were spared, a grand church would be built and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The plague eventually subsided, and the promise was fulfilled. In 1631, the first stone of the basilica was laid, entrusted to the genius of Baldassare Longhena, who went on to gift Venice one of Europe’s greatest Baroque masterpieces. The church was consecrated in 1687, and since then, the annual pilgrimage on November 21st has continued uninterrupted.

That ancient vow lives on — not just carved in stone, but carried in the city’s collective memory. Every candle lit inside the Salute recalls that promise, as well as the timeless human desire for protection and healing.

Today, as in centuries past, the heart of the celebration is the votive bridge. For a few days, a floating walkway connects the two banks of the Grand Canal, from Santa Maria del Giglio to the steps of the Basilica. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture: crossing it means becoming part of a living tradition that unites the entire city.

From morning to night, thousands of people walk across this symbolic threshold to light a candle inside the church. Whether moved by faith or by affection, the scene is always the same — a quiet river of Venetians offering a prayer, a thought, or a wish.
Outside, the mood turns lively. The streets fill with stalls selling nougat, sweets, fritters, and, of course, the traditional castradina — a hearty dish of salted, smoked, and cured mutton leg. This specialty dates back to the time of the plague, when mutton imported from Dalmatia was the only meat available in Venice.
 For children, the feast means cotton candy and balloons; for adults, it’s the pleasure of gathering with family or friends over a glass of wine — or, as locals say, un’ombra de vin.

The Feast of the Salute may not have the grandeur of Carnival or the elegance of the Historical Regatta, but it has something the others don’t: an intimate, heartfelt spirit that makes it dear to every Venetian, from the most devout to the most secular.

In recent years, the Feast of the Salute has assumed even greater significance. After the pandemic, many Venetians felt an emotional connection with their ancestors who, nearly four centuries earlier, turned to the Madonna for protection from the plague. It’s as if the votive bridge now joins not only two sides of the Grand Canal, but also two distant eras — both seeking hope and renewal.

For visitors, taking part in this celebration is a way to see Venice in a different light: not as a stage for tourists and photographers, but as a living city, proud of its traditions and quietly protective of them.

For Venetians, the Salute feels almost like a second patron saint’s day. Every family has its own memories tied to it — the first candle lit as a child, a walk across the bridge with their parents, the taste of castradina prepared by their grandmother.

Don’t miss this festival so profoundly rooted in the Venetian soul — stay at Hotel Ala and experience it up close. Here you’ll find the same genuine spirit that fills the city’s calli and canals, because we’re a family of true Venetians, ready to share the magic of our town with you.