The Feast of Mary

Mary Festival (La Festa delle Marie) is one of the main events of the Venetian carnival. This colorful event is connected with the events that took place in Venice more than a thousand years ago. There are various legends explaining the origin of the holiday.


Perhaps the celebration of Mary began in the year 943. It is believed, that there was a tradition to help girls from poor families to marry in Venice. Brides collective blessing was held in San Pietro di Castello in the days of the purification of Mary (2 February). Twelve beautiful girls from poor families receive a dowry, collected through donations. Doge of Venice gave the girls beautiful jewelry and gold from the treasury. Different evens were held there in different parts of the city on these days.


Pirates rushing into the town and captured the brides with all the dowry in the 943 year. After some confusion, the Venetians organized a chase, caught the pirates in Caorle, liberated the girls and returned the stolen jewelry.


The decision to celebrate the day Mary was made in honour of the victory over the Pirates. The holiday begins with the selection of the twelve most beautiful girls in Venice (two from each district). Wealthy citizens helped the girls, giving beautiful clothes and jewellery. Girls walked (floated on gondolas) in the city, attending religious services in the major churches of Venice. After the 1272 festival gradually became less colourful for economic and religious reasons. It is believed that the festival of Mary ceased to be carried out after 1379.


Mary feast in Venice was revived after 1999 for the entertainment of residents and tourists. The selection of girls for participation in the festival starts a few weeks before the festival. The festival usually takes place in the afternoon on the first Saturday of the carnival. Twelve Marie in colourful, vintage costumes, accompanied by a long procession pass from the church of San Pietro di Castello to Piazza San Marco. The next day, there is an official announcement of the winner, so called Mary of the year.