VENICE AND THE PLAGUE

VENICE AND THE PLAGUE

This unusual and fascinating tour begins with the Church of San Rocco, protector of plague victims, where his relics are still enshrined.

Additionally, there are huge paintings by Tintoretto, depicting miraculous healings the French Saint Rocco performed in the hospitals, and other details of his adventurous life.

We then walk to a mask workshop and discuss the frightening costumes used by the “doctors of the plague,” a black waterproof robe meant to prevent any contact with patients, and a ghostly long beaked mask intended to disinfect the “contaminated airs” of the city.

We also stop at some old rain cisterns, once under the strict control of the authorities who tried their best to safeguard the pureness of the drinking water.

They encouraged citizens to report those who did not respect the hygienic rules meant to prevent the scourge of the plague.
Our walk ends at the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, “Our Lady of Good Health,” a Baroque sanctuary begun by architect Longhena in 1631 to fulfill a solemn vow taken by the Venetian Senate.

The Senate was desperately struggling to stop the fatal disease from spreading further, after the death of 46,000 Venetians. Its history and popularity testify to the fervent faith and efforts of an entire community, past and present, who yearned for eternal protection.

They hoped that the construction of a major church was an act that might bring about the salvation of the city. The prominent architecture and location, the exuberant sculptural and pictorial decoration (Juste Le Court, Titian, Luca Giordano) make the Salute Church one of the most representative monuments of Venetian civilization.