| 26 February 2011 | ||
| 14:00 | to | 16:00 |
| 8 March 2011 | ||
| 15:30 | ||
- Saturday February 26th, from 2pm (from San Pietro di Castello), arrival in Piazza San Marco for the Prize Giving, 4pm ca.
- Tuesday March 8th, from 3.30pm (departure of the water parade from S. Giacomo dell’Orio, arrival in Piazza San Marco at 5pm for the Prize Giving).
The traditional “Festa delle Marie” evokes the homage that the Venetian Doge offered every year to twelve beautiful but humble venetian girls, offering them magnificent jewels as a bridal dowry. The “Festa delle Marie” is articulated in different days and it is the occasion to admire the traditional venetian period costumes. The event will be inaugurated Saturday, February 26th, with the parade of the twelve girls selected in the previous weeks. The walking parade, escorted by the historical groups of the “Comitato Europeo Rievocazioni Storiche” and the Venice Carnival groups, will leave San Pietro di Castello at 2pm walking along the Riva degli Schiavoni to reach Piazza San Marco where the twelve “Marias” will be introduced to the crowd waiting for them. But only Mardi Gras, March 8th, the most charming “Maria” will be awarded and crowned after the conclusion of the water parade which will be sailing from San Giacomo dell’Orio to San Marco.
There, at 5pm, the most graceful maid will be crowned by the Doge in the name of Woman’s Day celebration.
