What happened on March 26 in Venice

According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, today is St. Quirinus Martyr’s and St. Theodore Bishop’s Day.

He is the Patron of the Arts of Tiraoro and Batioro.

- March 26, 1337: after expelling the Scaliger troops, the Community of Conegliano offers its dedication to the Venetian Republic.

- March 26, 1511: 'At twenty and three quarters hours - writes the chronicler Marino Sanudo - suddenly a huge earthquake hit Venice. It seemed that all the houses were ruined, the chimneys shook, the walls opened, the bells bent, the water rippled in the canals as if it were on fire. Everyone was scared. Some were dashing around on the squares, others on the streets, some were praying, others didn't know what to do'. The earthquake, one of the most terrible in the history of Venice, causes numerous victims; it damages bell towers and causes numerous statues to collapse in palaces and churches, but the statue of St Mark, in the Doge's Palace, remains intact and Sanudo sees this as a good omen: 'This way this city devoted to Jesus Christ will always remain intact, custodian of the Catholic faith, defender of the church and lover of justice'.

- March 26, 1552: the Scuola di San Teodoro is declared Schola Granda; it is the sixth and last of the Scuole Grandi along with San Rocco, San Giovanni, Carità, Misericordia and San Marco.

- March 26, 1558: near the church of San Domenico di Castello, Cassandra Fedele dies at 102 years of age in her house, she read in the Padua studio, debated on theology with illustrious men of the time, sang impromptu Latin verses, composed some works, and was celebrated by many literati.

Taken from 'Almanacco di Venezia -1600 anni ab Urbe còndita' by Andrea Gersich and Edoardo Rubini

Venice, 26th March 2021