Mary

We are planning an Italian vacation and discovered that we will be in Venice for a Saturday and Sunday, the third weekend in July. This is the weekend of the Festa del Redentore. Is this an event that should be avoided due to the crowds or is it a good thing to be in Venice for. I'm not to crazy about crowds to start with, I realize Venice is crowded enough during the summer. Does it get unbearable during this event? Or should we get a Canal side room and enjoy?

jack

Hi there. I have a spare room in central venice that i let from time to time at very good rates. <BR>If you are interested in such a service then pls send me an email and i will send you more info + pictures since its not allowed to advertise on Fodors. <BR>Thanks and best regards. <BR>Jack <BR><BR><BR>

elaine

Hi<BR>I've avoided Venice in the summer because of the legendary crowds, and I can only imagine that any festival would only attract more people being out and about, including the locals.<BR><BR>Daytrippers from bus tours and cruises contribute greatly to the summer crowds, and I would imagine that some tours, especially those aimed at Italians, would deliberately include this religious festival, increasing the crowds.<BR><BR>I love Venice so much I would never tell someone not to go, but if you have some flexibility on dates I'd choose another time, even another time in the summer.

anne

We were in Venice in July - had to be nearby for a conference, and decided to spend a few days there even though it was high season since we were close by.<BR>We were SO pleasantly surprised. Stayed in the Dorsoduro area and did not set foot in Piazza San Marco, purposefully. Enjoyed quiet lovely areas of town, off the beaten track, and watched Venetians enjoying their town. I think it would be wonderful to be there during the Festa - just avoid tourist-clogged areas. Believe it or not, you can do it in Venice.

loislane17

The Festa della Redentore is a wonderful festival that is mostly for residents. They tie a string of barges from San Marco at the Molo over to Santa Maria delle Salute. It is to commemorate the end of the plague. The faithful wake across the barges to arrive and worship at Sta. Maria delle Salute. I'm not sure if one is allowed to walk in the procession or must be invited.<BR>Summer is incredibly packed in Venice, and the canals are not at their best in the hot and overused time. Although i adore Venice, I always steer clear of it during July and August-there are enormous crowds, it can be extremely hot, and well, the canals can stink something awful. <BR>Give yourself the best opportunity to love Venice and go in early October or April/May. It's still crowded, but much less so. <BR>If it's a now or never, well, then go, but be aware of the problems!

Alec

This is what I've found on Google:<BR><BR>FESTA DEL REDENTORE<BR>(third Sunday in July)<BR><BR>This &quot;firework night&quot; is probably one of the celebrations that the Venetians really feel is &quot;theirs&quot;.<BR><BR>It began as a vow on behalf of the city - under Doge Alvise Mocenigo in 1576 to express their thanks for the city's deliverance from the plague: the city promised to build a church dedicated to the Redentore (the Redeemer)..<BR>The church -designed by Andrea Palladio- is on the Giudecca and every third Sunday in July, the Venetians visit it to pay their thanks.<BR>A bridge of boats stretches the Canale della Giudecca especially for this day.But the most famous part of the celebrations is the evening before - hundreds of boats gather in the lagoon, along the banks of the Giudecca, the Zattere, from Riva degli Schiavoni to S.Elena to wait for the fireworks - obviously well-equipped with typical Venetian dishes.<BR><BR>The fireworks generally last around 45 to 60 minutes and every year both Venetians and tourists are overcome by the beauty.<BR>A night that should not be missed.

fran

Mary,<BR> It is a GREAT time to be in Venice. As Lois and Alec point out, this is Venice for Venetians and not really over crowded like Carnevale. So many local residents take to the water, maybe clears out the land! The fireworks are very special indeed (and what a setting).<BR><BR>

ann

We were in Venice in July,2001 and our first night happened to be the Feast of the Redeemer...but we did not know it ahead of time. All we knew was that the crowds were unbearable everywhere we went. Finally our waiter at dinner told us what was going on. We were staying at the Danieli (canal front) and the fireworks were spectacular but didn't start until around 11PM and went on for about an hour. However, we were just there earlier this month and I have to say the crowds were still bad (in November!). I would suggest getting a room away from the Grand Canal and exploring the back areas of Venice...do NOT spend more time in the San Marco area than necessary. If it works out best for your schedule to go to Venice at that time, it will be OK. Also, this trip we took a boat over to Burano and LOVED it... a photographer's dream! Skip Torcello, in my opinion.