A traditional festival celebrated since the days of the Republic of Venice, marking the Feast of the Ascension of Christ (referred to in Venetian dialect as “Sensa”). At the heart of the commemoration are two key events in the history and traditions of Venice: on May 9, 1000, Doge Pietro II Orseolo came to the aid of Dalmatian populations threatened by the Slavs; in 1177, under Doge Sebastiano Ziani, Pope Alexander III and Frederick Barbarossa signed a peace treaty in Venice, ending the centuries-long conflict between the Papacy and the Empire. The central ritual of this festival is the “Marriage of the Sea.” The Doge, aboard the Bucintoro – his luxurious and unmistakable vessel – would sail to Sant’Elena near San Pietro di Castello. Awaiting him was the Bishop, aboard a gilded boat, ready to give his blessing. To emphasize the Serenissima’s dominion over the sea, a symbolic propitiatory act took place: upon reaching the Bocca di Porto, the Doge would cast a golden ring into the waters—a gesture still celebrated today. Since 1965, thanks to the activities of the Festa della Sensa Committee, this unique and deeply cherished ritual has been revived, enchanting both tourists and Venetians with its timeless magic.
