"Festa della Sensa" or Feast of the Ascension

In memory of the conquest of Dalmatia by the Venetians, on the day of the Sensa, the "Marriage of the sea" is celebrated.

In the past, the Doge and the Patriarch went outside the Port of Lido to bless the sea as a propitiatory rite of union between Venice and the sea. The Doge with his ship the Bucintoro ( the state galley decorated with gilded carved wood carvings, used for solemn ceremonies. The Galea is now kept at the Naval Historical Museum of Venice) stopped in front of Sant'Elena to receive the homage of the Monks and continued near the Island of Lido where he welcomed on board the Bishop of Castello. Together they continued sailing to the Port of Lido in front of the Fort of Sant'Andrea where the real ceremony began. The Patriarch poured blessed water and the Doge from a small window inside the Bucintoro threw a gold ring into the water (symbol of a mystical marriage) saying: "We marry you sea, as a sign of eternal dominion". From here began the Fair of the Sensa with parties and shows throughout the city.

In St Mark’s Square there was a market of goods of all kinds and visitors of all nationalities arrived.

On May 16, 1792 on the occasion of the Sensa, the Teatro della Fenice was inaugurated.

The last wedding in the presence of the Doge Leonardo Manin dates back to 1796. In 1965, thanks to the Festa della Sensa Committee, the event was celebrated on the first Sunday after the Ascension Day. A water parade of boats from San Marco to Lido led by the "Serenissima" boat on which the Mayor and other city authorities go up, from which a symbolic wedding of the Sea is celebrated with the launch of a ring in the water and then a religious service is celebrated at the church of San Nicolò di Lido.