Monday, November 25, 2013

Venetian Tradition: November 21st - Feast of the Madonna of Santa Maria della Salute.



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.
 
 
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