Discover the tradition of the Madonna della Salute and savour a special menu inspired by this Venetian festival, in the heart of Venice.
The Feast of the Madonna della Salute
Every 21 November, Venice celebrates the Madonna della Salute, one of the city’s most deeply felt festivals.
The tradition dates back to an event in 1630, when the plague struck Venice and the city turned to prayer. The Doge, Nicolò Contarini, made a solemn vow: if Venice were spared from the plague, a church would be built in honour of the Madonna della Salute. A prayer procession lasted three days and three nights. The plague came to an end and the vow was fulfilled: the Basilica, designed by Baldassarre Longhena, was begun in 1631 and completed in 1687.
La Caravella pays tribute to this tradition with a special menu inspired by its flavours and history.
Castradina, the festival’s signature dish
The star of the menu is castradina, the traditional soup made with salted, smoked and matured mutton, slowly cooked with savoy cabbage and onion. This dish is linked to the history of the festival and to the assistance provided by the Dalmatians, who supplied Venice with food during the plague.
Throughout the votive festival, from 18 to 22 November 2026, you can sample a selection of traditional dishes and choose our special menu, which also includes castradina.