Ah, the Festa della Sensa in Venice! It’s one of the most anticipated events of the year. It celebrates the union between the Serenissima Republic of Venice and the sea.

If you’re in love with Venice, you simply cannot miss the Festa della Sensa! It is an event that perfectly embodies the city’s fascinating history and culture. The festivities are so unique and enchanting that it’s hard not to fall in love with the city all over again.

Imagine standing on the shores of the Venetian lagoon and watching a procession of beautifully decorated boats glide past you, accompanied by the sound of gondoliers singing traditional songs. It’s a sight that will take your breath away!

And that’s not all – the Festa della Sensa is also the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Venetian history. You’ll witness the traditional ceremony of the Venetian Marriage to the Sea, when the Doge throws a ring into the water to symbolise the marriage between Venice and the sea. It’s a moment that truly highlights the city’s maritime traditions and the importance of the sea in Venetian culture.

The Festa della Sensa in Venice nowadays

The festival consists of two parts: a religious ceremony and a water procession.

The religious ceremony takes place in St Mark’s Basilica, where the Mayor of venice offers a golden ring to the sea as a symbol of Venice’s sovereignty over the Adriatic Sea. The ring is blessed by the catholic Patriarch. He then throws it into the water as a sign of the Venetian marriage to the sea.

The water procession, the highlight of the festival, is a parade of traditional boats, including gondolas, sandoli and pupparini, that sail from St Mark’s Basin to the island of San Nicolò di Lido. The procession is led by the Bucintoro, the Doge’s ceremonial boat, used in the past also for the Doge’s coronation.

But that’s not all. After the water parade, you can enjoy a day-long fair on the Lido. This festival is famous for its delicious seafood dishes, including the traditional “sarde in saor“, marinated sardines with onions, raisins and pine nuts. There are also many other local local dishes to try, along with plenty of wine and prosecco from the Veneto wine region.

The best accommodations in Venice

As already mentioned, the tourist flow in Venice in April is not so big and it is very difficult to find fully booked hotels. I would still advise you to book well in advance, especially if you are planning to spend Easter or April 25th in Venice, as these days attract many tourists every year.

To make it easier for you, we have selected some of the best Venetian hotels that offer great value for money and are ideally located for exploring Venice in April:

B&B Bloom

Antica Locanda Sturion ***

More accommodation here:

History of the Festa della Sensa in Venice

The Festa della Sensa, which means “Feast of the Ascension”, is an ancient Venetian festival that celebrates the maritime power of Venice and the city’s bond with the sea. The festival is held on the Sunday after the Ascension, forty days after Easter, and has been celebrated for over a thousand years.

The Festa della Sensa has its roots in the legend that, in the year 1000, the Doge of Venice, Pietro II Orseolo, sailed to Dalmatia to help the people of Zara in their fight against the Slavs. When the Venetian fleet reached the waters off Zara, a violent storm threatened to sink the ships and the Doge prayed to the heavens for deliverance. All of a sudden, a mysterious figure appeared, calmed the storm and led the fleet to victory.

The mysterious figure was identified as the personification of the Sensa, a symbolic representation of the marriage between Venice and the sea. From that day on, the Festa della Sensa became an annual event to celebrate the power and glory of Venice and to renew the vow of its maritime supremacy.

Established in the 14th century, the Festa della Sensa in Venice arose from the fact that in late spring the lagoon city was crowded with pilgrims heading to the Holy Land who usually stayed in the city until the feast of Corpus Christi, and with numerous faithful who went to St Mark’s basilica to obtain the indulgence granted by Pope Alexander III.

The Festa della Sensa in Venice was set up in St. Mark’s Square eight days before Ascension Day and continued for the following fifteen days and was regularly visited by the doge and his foreign guests.

The vendors were arranged in an elliptical wooden structure that occupied the entire St. mark’s square. While the outer ring sold the most common goods, the inner ring displayed objects of great economic value and artistic value. The Festa della Sensa continued into the evening hours and attracted a large number of tourists and traders.

The ancient celebration of the Festa della Sensa in Venice

The Festa della Sensa on Ascension Day

On the eve of Ascension Day, the Bucintoro left the Arsenale shipyard and was taken to the city, where it was displayed on the Riva degli Schiavoni, decorated for the occasion.

In addition to the Bucintoro, all the other boats, including military and merchant vessels, that were to take part in the parade were prepared and taken to the arm of the sea that separates Venice from the Lido.

The buildings were decorated and in the evening all the church bells in Venice rang out simultaneously to announce the beginning of the religious ceremony celebrated in St Mark’s Basilica.

The second day of the Festa della Sensa in Venice

The next morning, the bells announced the departure of the Doge and his court from the Doge’s Palace.

He was followed by a court composed of the Serenissima Signoria, the Cancelliere Grande, the major magistrates, the Apostolic Nuncio and foreign ambassadors.

The Doge and his court then went ashore to board the Bucintoro, which, after a cannon shot in front of St. Mark’s Square – and a concert of cannon blasts from the naval ships-, sailed into the basin of St Mark’s towards the Lido.

Along with the Bucintoro, the waters of the basin were sailed by the Peatoni, three golden boats that always followed the Bucintoro on its voyages.

There were also the golden gondolas of the Papal Nuncio, of the other ambassadors and of the Patriarch of Venice.

In addition to the representative ships, there were six large galleys, decorated with silk cloth and flags, on which a band played and a small army of Dalmatian soldiers dressed for parades.

There were twelve other ships, including brigantines, galleys, sciabecques and feluccas, also richly decorated and equipped with bands and Dalmatian soldiers.

There were also the peote representing the different communities of the Dogado, each with its own identifying banner, and numerous gondolas and private boats of various types that followed the procession.

When it reached the Lido, the Bucintoro stopped and while the cannons of the galleys continued to fire blank shots, the rite of the marriage between Venice and the sea took place. From the Bucintoro, the Doge, flanked by the Patriarch of Venice, poured into the sea an ampoule of holy water and a ring blessed by the Patriarch, pronouncing the words:

“Desponsamus te, mare nostrum, in signum ven perpetuique dominii”.

“We marry you, our sea, as a sign of our everlasting dominion”.

After the Marriage between Venice and the Sea, the Doge disembarked at the Lido of Venice and proceeded to the Church of San Nicolò, where, welcomed by the crowd and the Benedictine monks, he attended the Pontifical Mass.

While the Doge and his court attended mass, the gondoliers enjoyed speed races on the Giudecca Canal and grand lunches were held in the gardens of the surrounding islands. Like the carnival during the Sensa festival, masks and lavish costumes were allowed.

What is the Bucintoro and why was it used for the Venetian marriage to the sea?

The Bucintoro is a ceremonial boat used by the Doge of Venice for the annual Venetian Marriage to the Sea ceremony, also known as the Sensa ceremony. It was a symbol of the wealth and power of the Venetian Republic and played an important role in the city’s maritime history.

The first Bucintoro was built in the 14th century, and over time it was rebuilt and expanded with luxurious decorations and furnishings. The ceremony took place on Ascension Day, when the Doge and other dignitaries would board the Bucintoro and sail out to the Adriatic Sea to perform the ritual of “marrying” the sea by throwing a gold ring into the water.

The original Bucintoro was destroyed in 1798 by Napoleon’s troops, and today only fragments of it remain, including a few ornate decorations housed in museums. However, the tradition of the Venetian Marriage to the Sea ceremony continues to be celebrated in Venice every year, albeit without the original Bucintoro.

Summary

The Festa della Sensa in Venice is a unique celebration that combines history, tradition and cuisine in a magical atmosphere that only Venice can offer. It’s a great way to experience the city’s maritime roots and celebrate its enduring bond with the sea.

The Festa della Sensa in Venice is not only a historical event, it’s also an opportunity to enjoy the company of locals and tourists alike while tasting delicious Venetian food and wine. You can even take part in a rowing competition or simply enjoy a leisurely gondola ride along the canals.

In short, the Festa della Sensa is a must for anyone who loves Venice. It’s a unique experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and culture, while enjoying the beauty and charm of Venice in all its glory. So come and celebrate this wonderful event with us and fall in love with Venice all over again!

So if you happen to be in town during this time, be sure to join in the festivities and experience the joy and excitement of the Festa della Sensa in Venice.

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