Among the many narratives that have shaped Venice’s collective memory, few are as dramatic ー and as compelling ー as the story of the plague. Over the centuries, the Republic of Venice endured multiple devastating epidemics that brought suffering, yet also inspired a remarkable legacy of artistic and spiritual expression.

The Great Plague of 1630 and the Doge’s Vow

The most famous epidemic occurred in 1630, also immortalized by Alessandro Manzoni in The Betrothed. The disease spread from northern Italy and, once it reached Venice, it claimed tens of thousands of lives within a few months. During this dark and silent period, Doge Nicolò Contarini made a solemn vow: if the city were freed from the plague, he would commission the construction of a church as a sign of gratitude.

Thus was born one of the most cherished basilicas in the world: Santa Maria della Salute. An iconic symbol of the lagoon that still dominates the entrance to the Canal Grande with its magnificent white dome.

The Redeemer and the Plague of 1575

Interestingly, a similar event had occurred just a few decades earlier. During the plague of 1575–77, Doge Sebastiano Venier made a vow to build a temple in honor of Christ the Redeemer (Il Redentore in Italian).

This vow led to the construction of the Church of the Redentore, designed by Andrea Palladio and located on the island of Giudecca. Each year, on the third Sunday of July, Venice celebrates the Festa del Redentore, one of the city’s most beloved traditions. The festivities include a spectacular fireworks display and an incredible floating bridge that connects the Zattere promenade to the Church of the Redentore. It is a celebration that commemorates not only the end of the plague, but also the strength and gratitude of the Venetian people.

Curiosities and Symbols of the “City that endures”

Exploring Venice and its lagoon, you can still find traces of ancient epidemics. The lazzaretti are a striking example: small lagoon islands where the sick and travelers suspected of illness were once quarantined, and which today hold great historical fascination.

Just a few meters from the Lido lies the Lazzaretto Vecchio (currently closed to visitors), considered one of the world’s earliest examples of an “isolated hospital”. The Lazzaretto Nuovo, located opposite Sant’Erasmo Island, is currently open to visits via guided tours (reservation required). The two-hour visit includes a historical and archaeological journey within the ancient walls, as well as a nature walk.

Venice is also rich in legends: it is said that certain calli (narrow streets) and sealed doors were used to isolate infected districts, and that plague doctorsーwith their eerie long-beaked masksーwere figures both feared and respected.

Venice Today: Beauty in constant Renewal

Today, Venice no longer bears the scars of the plague, but it proudly preserves the memory of a past that shaped its identity. Visiting the churches of the Salute and the Redentore, or exploring the lazzaretti islands, means embarking on a journey through the resilience and devotion of a people who knew how to rise from tragedy, transforming suffering into art and spirituality.

In this spirit, we recommend the exhibition Venice and the Epidemics, organized by the Giorgio Cini Foundation on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and open until December 19, 2025. Hosted in the Longhena Library, the exhibition traces the Republic of Venice’s remarkable response to the recurring epidemic crises that affected both the city and Europe. The works on display document how the Venetian institutions swiftly transitioned from panic and uncertainty to implementing significant measures of prevention, control, and protection, ultimately overcoming the epidemic.

This is how, between history and legend, the plague remains a fundamental chapter in Venice’s timeless allure. A city that always surprises and that always has a story to tell, even in its darkest moments.

Photo credits: visitlido.it