Redentore grew from Venice’s vow during the plague of 1575–1577. In September 1576 the Senate chose to build a church dedicated to Christ the Redeemer; Andrea Palladio’s church on Giudecca became the focus of thanksgiving. For the first celebration in 1577, Venetians built a bridge of boats to reach the island and the church that was still under construction.

The temporary crossing remains the festival’s most direct link with that history. It joins the Zattere to Giudecca and preserves the idea of a communal pilgrimage across the water. Today the Saturday-night fireworks and decorated boats give Redentore its spectacular public face, while Sunday worship recalls its devotional origin. Seeing the church and bridge in daylight makes the evening display part of a longer civic story.