One of the fundamental aspects of Venice are indeed its centuries long traditions, which Venetians proudly maintain and celebrate every year. Here is a selection of the most important in chronological order.
CARNEVALE
The Carnival has always been one of the Venetian traditions throughout the centuries, with mythical and legendary stories of incredible parties in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nowadays Carnival is of course very different, but it is something worth experiencing if never seen before; it is excellent fun to walk around Venice in the last week of Carnival, which is when the real Carnival kicks in with the two famous day, i.e. Giovedi Grasso and Martedi Grasso (literally translated as “Fat Thursday” and “Fat Tuesday“, the latter of which is the last day of Carnival), and admire all the Venetian costumes while throwing Coriandoli to each others and eating Fritole and Galani, i.e. the delicious sweet bakery prepared by the patisseries during Carnival. If wearing a Carnival mask, one remains completely anonymous! A good laugh. Carnival normally takes place in February, but it is subject to each year’s calendar.
SAN MARCO
The 25th of April is the feast of St. Mark, the Patron of Venice. The beautiful tradition is that, on this day, Venetians will give their beloved wives or fiancees a Bocolo, i.e. a lovely fresh rose.
LA SENSA
This has been for many centuries the Venetian religious celebration of the Ascension. Nowadays it commemorates mostly one aspect of it; the Marriage to the sea. This rite used to be done by the Doge, the highest authority in the Serenissima, by reaching the Port of San Nicolo’ on board the beautiful Bucintoro and where he used to throw a gold ring into the sea, as a symbol of Venice’s domination of the seas. Nowadays the ceremony is not as grand as it used to be, but it still genuinely reflects this historical tradition. It is carried out by the Mayor of Venice, accompanied by religious and other relevant authorities, by leaving St. Mark’s square by boat, then to throw the ring into the sea in exactly the same traditional spot. The Sensa falls forty days after Easter, therefore it is a Venetian tradition to eat the best produce of this season, i.e. Risi e Bisi (Risotto with peas) and the delicious Castraure (tender baby artichokes, which are traditionally eaten raw, with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper).
LA VOGALONGA
A Venetian milestone. This tradition started back in the early 1970’s, when a group of sporty and passionate Venetian rowers gathered together after a regatta and discussed the idea of a non competitive rowing race around the beautiful Venetian lagoon, in which any type of rowing boat was allowed; the aim was, among other things, to maintain the great Venetian rowing traditions. It was immediately a great success and it has always been so ever since; it is still virtually based on the original racetrack, covering a distance of approximately 30 kilometres and it is attended by rowers from all over the world. The Vogalonga normally takes place at the beginning of June and it is always a joy to watch the endless number and variety of boats participating.
FESTA DEL REDENTORE
One of my favourite Venetian feasts. It takes place the third weekend of July and it historically celebrates the end of the plague in Venice in 1577. The tradition is to walk across the boat bridge on the Giudecca’s Canal, built for the occasion each year, up to the Church of the Redentore. The fun part is on the Saturday evening, where Venetians gather all together by boats in the St. Mark’s basin and the Giudecca Canal and where they eat traditional Venetian food on board. After the eating, drinking and dancing on the boats, one of the longest and best fireworks display in the world starts at 11.30pm; breathtaking!!! The tradition is to conclude the evening by setting off the boats towards the Lido island, where it is great fun to go for a swim in the middle of the night until sunrise. An absolute must!
REGATA STORICA
The historic regatta is another of my personal favourites. It is a very old Venetian tradition, whose origins go back to the 13th Century and which falls on the first Sunday of September. Tradition has it that it never rains on this occasion. It is true, I have always had the best weather every time I have seen it! It starts with a beautiful parade of traditional and historical Venetian rowing boats, headed by the Bucintoro, the supreme boat of the Serenissima. After this, the real races start; the youngsters first on the so called Pupparini, followed by the women’s regatta on the Mascarete, then the men’s regatta on the Caorline and finally the most exciting one, the male champions’ regatta on the Gondolini, whose winners have acquired international success throughout the decades. The best place to watch the Regata Storica is of course the Grand Canal, where the best part of the action takes place.
MADONNA DELLA SALUTE
This is one of the most religious traditions in Venice. It falls on the 21st of November and it commemorates the end of the plague of 1631, with the erection of the Basilica della Salute which was in fact dedicated to the Holy Mary for her intercession to save Venice from the plague. The tradition is to cross the votive bridge on the Grand Canal, built for the occasion each year, and to bring a candle inside the Basilica up to the Altars, where it will be lit by the religious people in charge and where to pray, asking the Holy Mary for health and protection for all the family for the whole year. Last but not least, staying in the Basilica for Mass. After discharging one’s religious duties, the tradition is to eat just outside the Basilica the delicious Frittelle, i.e. warm sweet bagels or some candy floss. And then, of course, the culinary Venetian tradition on this day is to eat the Castradina, a meat dish, either at home or in the restaurants.