Ferragosto in Venice

Tuesday, Aug. 15, Venice: between sacred and profane

Established by the emperor of the same name in 18 B.C. to celebrate the end of strenuous agricultural labor, Augustus’ Rest is also music, festivals, performances and local food tastings and unmissable bargains in the historic city.

Christians around the world celebrate Ferragosto every year, a worship since the 5th century AD.

According to the Church, this date is celebrated for the assumption of the Virgin Mary who was received into heaven with body and soul.

In this regard, Torcello, could prove to be an excellent excursion on this special day.

On the occasion of the holiday, the Patriarchate and the City of Venice offer visitors free admission to the Torcello Museum and invariably to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

The enchanting Cathedral, founded in 639, hides wonderful mosaics in the Venetian-Byzantine style and it would be a real shame to miss this opportunity!

We also have a solution for those who do not have time to reach the Islands!

Besides the Feast of the Assumption, we will celebrate 1600 years of Venice together!!!

The Basilica of Saints Giovanni and Paolo and the Scuola Grande in San Marco, by way of exception, are offering a return to the past by opening to the public on the evenings of August 14th and 15th with guided tours at 8 and 9 pm.

Reservations are required by writing to visite@santigiovanniepaolo.it.