The 'Bocolo' feast (legend of the rose) - Venice

The ‘Bocolo’ Fest it is one of the most interesting and peculiar legend for the city, and it coincides with the Saint Mark day, the patron saint of Venice.

The day of these two events it is April 25, and if the Saint Mark feast it is related to a roman catholic tradition, thank to which the body of Saint Mark arrived in Venice from Egypt after a troubled and adventured trip and it is now conserved in the Saint Mark Basilica, the ‘Bocolo’ legend concerns a romantic and passionate love story. In the 9° century, the daughter of the Doge Orso I Partecipazio, felt in love for a man, Tancredi, of humble origins. Given the social differences and origins, the Doge was contrary of this relationship. The girl suggested to Tancredi to depart for the war against the Turks, in order to show his worth and thus been accepted by the Doge and father. Unfortunately, during the war, Tancredi was mortally wounded and before dying given the fact he was in a rose garden, he grasp a white rose, which turned red for the blood of the wounds, asking to a friend to take the rose and give it to the beloved. She received the rose the day of April 25, and following the news of the death of Tancredi she decided to commit suicide.

The red rose, ‘Bocolo’, it is a contemporary tradition in Venice. Man buy a red rose, usually from the Red Cross which collect funds for their charitable aims, and it give it to the beloved as a sign of love, remembering the romantic story of Tancredi and the Doge daughter.

The Bed & Breakfast Santo Stefano will be glad to host you during these days, and let you breath the atmosphere of the romantic Venice.