From dawn till dusk, thousands of pilgrims make their way to the Church of the Madonna della Salute, otherwise known as La Salute, following a procession led by the Archbishop of Venice.

The meal of the day is castradina, a traditional Venetian mutton and cabbage soup.

In occasion of this winter festival, a temporary bridge is set in place over the Grand Canal between Campo Santa Maria del Giglio and La Salute.

People buy ceri, long white candles from market stalls, as they make their way over the bridge, lighting them upon entering the Church while uttering prays for good health.

Up to around 5000 people have been recorded entering the Church at one time during this religious festival, but that shouldn’t deter you from heading over yourself if you happen to be in Venice on November 21.

Masses are held every hour throughout the entire day, giving everybody from faithful followers to passionate Venetians and curious visitors a chance to participate in the ancient ritual.

Speaking of ancient, this festival dates back to 1631 when Venice was freed from the violent plague which broke out in the summer of 1630 killing around 46,000 Venetians in the city alone and almost 100,000 residents in the lagoons.

The plague originated in Mantua wiping out much of the population.

Ambassadors of the devastated city were sent to Venice to make a desperate plea for help, but were placed in isolation on the island of San Servolo.

The Venetians’ efforts to protect themselves from the ghastly disease weren’t enough, and the plague soon struck the city.

No medicine or remedy in the world could save the withering population, so the Venetian authorities resorted to their faith for the salvation of their city.

The Doge, Nicolò Contarini organised a procession of thousands of survivors who marched relentlessly around Piazza San Marco for three days and three nights praying for the plague to cease.

The Doge vowed that if the powers above could save his city, he would build a church unmatched in both size and splendour in the name of the Virgin Mary.

The disease ceased within a matter of weeks, and although the Doge fell victim to the plague, his promise was delivered.

A competition was held to name the architect who would have the honour of designing the church, and a young man by the name of Baldassare Longhena was awarded the duty.

An immense octagonal church featuring two domes and a Palladian-inspired design, featuring the four evangelists on the facade, was the fruit of Longhena’s work.

La Salute was completed in 1861, one year after Longhena’s death, and was consecrated on November 21, 1687.

This stunning building is now the home of one of Venice’s most popular festivals, and an everlasting symbol of the end of the plague and the city’s salvation.