FESTA DELLA MADONNA DELLA SALUTE
(21 November)
In 1630 the Senate of the Republic issued a decree for the construction
of a new church in honour of La Madonna
della Salute (the Virgin of Good Health) to mark the end of the
plague.
Beginning in 1687 -when the church was consecrated - each years
the Venetians celebrate this deliverance from the plague by visiting
the church and lighting a candle to the Madonna.
A fourth bridge is erected near the church for a couple of days,
crossing the Canal Grande from S.Maria del Giglio to the opposite
side to facilitate access to the church.
There are stalls all around the church with candles of all sizes
as well as sweets and cakes, balloons and toys - much to the delight
of the children.
The votive bridge
[37 K] | 
The celebration [32 K]
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translated by C.Cawthra
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