It is an ancient custom that on April 25th a red rose bud is given to one’s beloved.
A romantic habit handed down from an ancient and sad Venetian legend that tells of the love between Tancredi and the daughter of the Doge Maria, called Vulcania. The relationship was hampered by the Doge suggesting that Tancredi prove his worth in battle. The young man left for the Holy Land and joined the French paladins in battle against the Moors. Tancredi, unfortunately, never returned to Venice. Before he died he caught a white rose that stained with his blood and asked his companion and friend Orlando to take it to his beloved. Orlando arrived in Venice on the day of Saint Mark and handed the rose to Vulcania, who desperately took her life and was found with the rose in her hands.
Since that day the red rose is considered a pledge of eternal love.
This custom could probably come from another legend, this time with a happy ending:-) It’s the story of Basilio, a sailor who had been given a rose garden as a thank you for his collaboration in the theft of the remains of San Marco. When Basil died the rose garden became the boundary that divided the two parts of the property inherited from his sons. In the years to come unfortunately quarrels arose between the two heirs and the rose garden stopped blooming. Many years later, when a girl descended from one branch of the family and a young descendant from the other fell in love and the rose garden began to bloom again. In memory of this love, the Venetians give a red rose to their beloved.
If you are in Venice on April 25th remember to give a bud of red rose to your loved ones. You will surely amaze her and make her visit more romantic:-)
