photograph
and copyright manfredi bellati
Venice:
November 21st - Feast of the Madonna of Santa Maria della
Salute. November 21st is
the Feast day of the Madonna della Salute, the Madonna of Health, it is
probably the most important and least touristy Venetian feasts and evokes
strong religious feelings among Venetians.
The holiday is, like the Redentore, in memory of another bout of the
plague, which lasted for two years from 1630-31, and the subsequent vow by the
Doge to obtain the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Above: a
video and a photo of the thousand of candles being lit by volunteers and
seminarists for the tens of thousands of people who ask the Madonna to keep
them in good health. Architect Baldassara
Longhera who designed the church wrote: “I have created a church in the form
of a rotunda, a work of new invention, not built in Venice before, a work very
worthy and desired by many. This church, having the mystery of its dedication,
to the Blessed Virgin, made me think, with what little talent God has bestowed
upon me of building the church in the ... shape of a crown.”
photograph
and copyright manfredi bellati
Feast of
the Madonna della Salute. The church of Santa Maria della Salute was designed in the Baroque style by architect,
Baldassare Longhera who wrote in a memorandum: "Firstly, it is a virgin
work, never before seen, curious, worthy and beautiful, made in the form of a
round monument that has never been seen, nor ever before invented, neither
altogether, nor in part, in other churches in this most serene city.”
photograph
and copyright manfredi bellati
Crowds
at the entrance of the church wait patiently to go in and come out.
photograph
and copyright manfredi bellati
Feast of
the Madonna della Salute – Votive Bridge. Tens of thousands of people make the
pilgrimage to pay homage to the Madonna and to light a candle asking her to
keep them in good health. To reach the majestic church a votive bridge is
specially erected for the occasion.
photograph
and copyright manfredi bellati
Feast of
the Madonna della Salute – High Altar. The Baroque high altar arrangement, designed
by Longhena, shelters an iconic Byzantine Madonna and Child of the 12th or 13th
century, known as Panagia Mesopantitissa ("Madonna the negotiator")
and came from Candia in 1669 after the fall of the city to the Ottomans. Masses are said throughout the day and can be
followed on the TV screen set up in the church.