The least "touristy" of the city's festivities, the Madonna della Salute evokes strong religious feelings among Venetians. The holiday is in memory of a bout of pestilence, which lasted for two years (1630-31). The Doge vowed to erect a church, asking for the Virgin Mary's divine intercession to rid the city of the plague.
Even today, thousands of people cross the votive bridge built on boats on the Grand Canal and visit the majestic Salute Church to pay homage to the Madonna and to light a candle asking her for good health. Stalls selling sweets, coloured balloons and toys testify to the dual nature - religius and secular - of the festivity. 

Read more about the feast-day of the Madonna della Salute

The Venice Municipality website has experimentally implemented a new search engine, powered by Google Search Appliance. Click on the link below for helpful search on our over 21,000 web pages.
The 'search' fields on the side of each page now use the new search engine by default. However, you can still use the former engine, to do searches by thematic channels.

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Accessibility for the disabled granted in different parts of the city. A unique opportunity to enjoy Venice. Until January 11, 13 bridges in the historical centre, from San Basilio (port area) to the gardens of the Biennale, will be made accessible to everyone through ramps with a gradient of 8 percent or less. A delightful two-mile walk with no architectural barriers.
 
View and download the accessibility routes map

ARGOS (Automatic & Remote GrandCanal Observation System) is an innovative water traffic navigation control system on the Grand Canal. Thanks to digital image processing collected by sensors installed along the Canal, ARGOS can supply continuous control and real time boat traffic monitoring, pointing out illicit behaviours held by craft pilots and identifying traffic congestion, thus allowing the local police to take instant measures against critical situations.

Visit the ARGOS website

From September 11, Venetians and tourists have a new bridge on the Grand Canal: the Ponte della Costituzione (Constitution Bridge), the fourth bridge on the main channel of the city. The new bridge, designed by well-known architect Santiago Calatrava, links Piazzale Roma to the railway station. 
 
View the photogallery
View our live webcam

See our new live webcams on Rialto Bridge and on the Fourth Bridge on the Grand canal.