On Giudecca, the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer is a 16th-century church designed by Andrea Palladio. Venice commissioned it after the plague of 1575 to give thanks for the epidemic’s end. Its Renaissance design and place in Venetian religious life make it a worthwhile stop away from the city’s central sights. The church is also the focus of the Festa del Redentore, when a temporary bridge links Giudecca with the Zattere and the city gathers for religious events and fireworks.
A church built after the plague
The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, often called Il Redentore, was commissioned by Venice after a severe plague outbreak in the 1570s. The Senate chose Andrea Palladio to design the church as a votive offering, an act of thanks for the end of the epidemic.
Construction began in May 1577, and the church was consecrated in 1592. The outbreak had taken tens of thousands of lives. The church’s purpose was therefore both religious and civic: it marked the city’s gratitude and gave that gratitude a lasting place on Giudecca.
Palladio’s design on Giudecca
Palladio designed the church in the Renaissance style. The design of its façade drew inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome. Its setting on Giudecca, south of Venice’s central area, gives the church a different context from the better-known sights across the water.
The church is connected to a yearly tradition that links its history with the city’s present-day celebrations. The annual procession was planned to bring the Doge from San Marco to the church, crossing the Giudecca Canal on a temporary pontoon bridge. That bridge remains central to the Festa del Redentore.
The Festa del Redentore
Venice celebrates the end of the plague with the Festa del Redentore on the third weekend of July. A temporary bridge crosses the Giudecca Canal between the Zattere and Giudecca, allowing people to reach the church on foot. Religious observances include a procession and a Mass; the festival also includes a regatta of traditional Venetian boats.
On Saturday evening, groups gather along the canals and on boats in the lagoon, often sharing picnics. Fireworks are a major part of the celebration, lighting the lagoon after dark. The event brings together religious tradition and public festivities, with the church at its centre.
FAQ
Where is the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer?
It is on Giudecca, the island south of central Venice.
Why was the church built?
Venice commissioned it as a votive church after the plague of 1575, giving thanks for the epidemic’s end.
When is the Festa del Redentore?
It takes place on the third weekend of July. A temporary bridge across the Giudecca Canal links Giudecca with the Zattere for the celebration.
