April 25, 2026
Saint Mark's Day and Liberation Day
In Venice, April 25th is not only a national holiday, but a date deeply rooted in the city’s millennia-old history. This day celebrates Saint Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of the Serenissima, whose figure is inseparable from Venice’s political, religious, and symbolic identity.
A bit of history
According to tradition, the relics of Saint Mark were stolen from Alexandria in Egypt in 828 by two Venetian merchants and brought to the lagoon, where they became the spiritual and political hub of the Republic.
The construction of St. Mark’s Basilica, begun in the 9th century and expanded several times, definitively consecrated the bond between the saint and the city.
The symbol of the winged lion (derived from the iconography of the evangelist) became the official emblem of the Republic of Venice and still stands out today on palaces, columns and fortifications throughout the former Venetian dominion.
Religious functions
From a tourist perspective, April 25th is one of the most evocative days to visit the city.
Solemn religious celebrations take place in St. Mark’s Square, with the participation of the Patriarch of Venice and the city authorities. The basilica is the heart of the liturgical services, while the square comes alive with visitors and Venetians participating in the festivities.
The tradition
Alongside the religious dimension, there’s a deeply rooted folk tradition: the “bòcolo.”
Men give a red rosebud to their loved one, a gesture that symbolizes faithful and lasting love.
The tradition’s origins are traced back to a medieval legend about the young Maria, daughter of Doge Partecipazio, and her lover Tancredi. Mortally wounded in battle, Tancredi sent his beloved a rose stained with his own blood, transforming the flower into a symbol of eternal love. Although this is a legendary tale, the ritual is still alive: florists and stalls display red roses throughout the city, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
April 25th in Venice
The Venetian peculiarity lies in the overlapping of different levels: the religious celebration of the patron saint, the historical memory of the Republic, the civil celebration of the Italian Liberation from Nazi-fascism (established in 1946) and a popular romantic tradition.
This stratification makes April 25th a date of identity for Venice, where history, spirituality, and daily life intertwine in an almost theatrical way.
For visitors, it’s an opportunity to understand Venice beyond the postcard image: observing the lion of St. Mark on the ancient marbles, entering the basilica during celebrations, strolling through the streets and squares where the “bòcolo” (flower of life) is discreetly exchanged. It’s a moment when the city clearly demonstrates its historical continuity, from the Middle Ages to the present day, keeping alive a tradition that unites collective memory and personal sentiment.
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