The Festa delle Marie was born in the Middle Ages: the Church and the Patriciate chose the 12 most beautiful and poorest girls in Venice to provide them with the necessary dowry to get married.
In 973, during the celebration, the 12 girls were kidnapped by a band of pirates, attracted by the riches that the young women wore. The Venetians managed to free the girls and created the Festa delle Marie.
Over the centuries this anniversary has been celebrated in different ways, until from the mid-16th century it fell into disuse.
In 1999, after seven centuries of abandonment, thanks to the director Bruno Tosi the celebration was brought back to the city of Venice.
