Festa della Sensa in Venice

If you’re on holiday in Venice, the prestigious "Festa della Sensa" will take place on May 24th 2009, an important event that will lead to the opening of the rowing season. The origins of the event involve the historical past of the City on Water: a famous legend ties the "Doge Ziani" to the figures of Emperor "Federico Barbarossa" and Pope Alexander III, because of his role as mediator between the two. The privileges favoured the "Repubblica Marinara" facilitating maritime trade and military domination of the seas. During the celebration, the Doge used to go to the mouth of the port of "San Nicolò" to throw a ring into the sea in order to establish and confirm the link that irremovably bound the fortune of the city to it.

In times gone by the event was extended into a large exhibition in Piazza San Marco, which lasted two weeks. Today, during Ascension Day, costumed oarsmen row from St. Mark’s Square to the Temple of St. Nicholas on the Lido. During the festival you can enjoy a vegetable based menu, typical of the local culinary tradition.

Posted by www.venezia.ws