In front of you on the left, La Giudecca, also called Spina Longa. The island faces the homonymous Giudecca canal, in front of the Dorsoduro district.
Its name probably dates back to the time when the island was the residence of the Jewish population. Located to the south of the rest of the city, today it is a rather quiet residential area where you can find the church of the Most Holy Redeemer – Basilica del Santissimo Redentore – designed by Andrea Palladio.
The church was a sign of gratitude for the end of the terrible plague that in 1576 caused the death of a third of the population.
Every year on the third Saturday of July the Feast of the Redeemer (Festa del Redentore) is celebrated with a magnificent fireworks display in St. Mark’s Basin.
