- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- The red stone of the 'Sotoportego de la peste'

The red stone of the 'Sotoportego de la peste'
Walking around Venice along the narrow streets and across the squares, you could happen to notice strange slabs on the pavement... which should not be stepped on! One of these is located in the Zorzi sotoportego, between Corte Nova and Calle Zorzi, in the Castello district: it is a red stone that, if trodden, brings bad luck and misfortune!
It all stems from the terrible black plague of 1630 that afflicted the inhabitants of every area of the city of Venice, except, miraculously, the residents of Corte Nova who were spared, according to the explanation quickly introduced by popular belief, thanks to the sotoportego itself.
Legend has it that a woman named Giovanna, who lived in Corte Nova, had a miraculous vision of the Madonna... In the apparition, the Madonna told her that, to avoid the plague, the local inhabitants had to paint a drawing representing her image and that of the Saints Rocco, Sebastiano and Giustina and hang it on the wall of the Zorzi sotoportego. In addition to the painting mentioned by the Madonna, they also displayed another one representing only the Virgin Mary.
In order for the inhabitants of Corte Nova to be infected, the plague would have had to cross that sacred portico... As the Madonna had predicted, however, her image stopped the disease that ‘fell to the ground’, among the gray slabs of the pavement, right where today the red stone that symbolizes the defeat of the plague is still located! The inhabitants of Corte Nova were unaffected by the terrible disease that suddenly was finally eradicated from the Serenissima.
Since then, all Venetians crossing the sotoportego are careful not to trample on this red stone, fearing to bring on themselves misfortune and bad luck... Regardless of this being faith, belief or superstition, better not to challenge one’s fate!
Come and discover the many stories and legends that hide in the most magical and mysterious places of the city on the water ... On our portal you can find many interesting activities in Venice: what will your next adventure be?
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Venice: What happened on May 16 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Boldo (St. Ubald Bishop) a church was dedicated to the Sain...
ViewVenice: What happened on May 1 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, today’s Saints are Sts. Philip and James, Apostles and Saint Scholastica, of whom ther...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 25 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Mark, Evangelist, Patron Saint of Venice It is the First Fea...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 20 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Victor. - April 20, 1797: capture of the French friga...
ViewTop posts
Venice: 10 songs that will make you think of Venice

Did you know that...
Sometimes we hear the first few lines of a song and our minds are suddenly transported back to a place, a memory or a dream. We put tog...
ViewPadua: Vò Euganeo: a place to be discovered

Unknown places & works
In the last few months there has been much talking around the small town of Vò, in the province of Padua. It was at the center of ever...
ViewVenice: 10 must-see movies filmed in Venice

Film Locations
Venice is unique amongst world cities and every year it turns into a dream-like experience for scores of tourists thanks to its timeles...
ViewChioggia: The Valley of the Seven Dead Men

Mysteries & Legends
Halloween is just around the corner: have you already got into the fascinating terrifying aura of the scariest party of the year? No ye...
View