Sensa Festival

The special day of Festa della Sensa

 The Sensa festival is definitely one of the most important fests of Venetian tradition, because it celebrates the Marriage of the Sea.
Since year 1000, on this day the Doge left his residence in Saint Mark’s square on a special boat, the Bucentaur, to reach San Nicolò church on Lido island. A long procession followed him. Here, he married the sea, by throwing into the water a wedding ring and a laurus crown. The Sensa festival (Festa della Sensa) symbolized the union of Venice with its sea, and the dominion of it. 
Sensa festival is still celebrated on the Ascension Day, which commemorates the rise of Christ to Heaven after the Resurrection.