May 17, 2026
"Dea Sensa" Festival
“Dea Sensa” Festival: The Magic of Ascension in Venice
During the Ascension period, one of the most fascinating events in Venetian tradition is undoubtedly the Festa della Sensa, the celebration that revives the thousand-year history of the Republic of Venice and its profound connection with the sea.
An event rich in history, symbols, and inspiration that attracts visitors from around the world every year and represents a perfect opportunity for those staying at our campsite to discover the authentic roots of the area.
The historical origins
The Feast of the Sensa is celebrated on the day of the Ascension of Christ (in Venetian “Sensa”) and commemorates two fundamental moments for the Serenissima:
May 9, 1000 – Doge Pietro II Orseolo sets sail to aid the populations of Dalmatia threatened by the Slavs, strengthening Venetian power over the Adriatic.
1177 – Under the Doge Sebastiano Ziani, Pope Alexander III and Frederick Barbarossa sign the historic peace treaty in Venice that ends the long dispute between the Papacy and the Empire.
The “Marriage of the Sea”
Originally, the rite had a religious and propitiatory function: the Doge went to the sea to bless the waters of the Adriatic and invoke its protection.
Over time, the celebration was enriched by the evocative Marriage of the Sea, a symbol of Venetian dominion over the waters. Even today, the symbolic gesture is renewed with the throwing of a golden ring into the waves and the historic formula:
“We wed thee, O sea, in signum veri perpetuique dominii.”
(We wed thee, O sea, in sign of true and perpetual dominion.)
La Sensa today: tradition and spectacle
Today the Festa della Sensa is being revived thanks to the Festa della Sensa Committee and the Coordination of Venetian Rowing Associations.
The most exciting moment is the water parade: a spectacular parade of traditional rowing boats that departs from St. Mark’s Basin and reaches the Lido.
At the head of the procession is the “Serenissima,” the vessel carrying the Mayor and city officials, from which the symbolic ring is thrown.
An event that combines history, folklore, and a passion for Venetian rowing, creating a unique atmosphere of color, historic costumes, and maritime tradition.
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