Historical Regatta – Venice

On September 1st, 2024, the most important Venetian rowing competition.

On Sunday, September 1st, 2024 – as usual on the first Sunday of September – is taking place the Venice Historical Regatta which is the most important Venetian rowing competition and a historical commemoration.

The Venice Historical Regatta’s first evidence dates back to the mid-1200s, but the first image related to it appears in a 150o Map of Venice by Jacopo dé Barbari where there is a group of boats with the words “regata” (*)

The Historical Regatta is also the re-enactment of the welcome given in 1489 to the Venetian wife of the King of Cyprus, Caterina Cornaro, who was left a widow and renounced the throne to return to her hometown by giving up the regency to the Republic of Venice.

The event starts with a parade of dozens and dozens of typical sixteenth-century multicolored boats, with gondoliers in costume. They transport the doge, the dogaressa, Caterina Cornaro and all the top of the Venetian magistracy, in a faithful reconstruction of the glorious past of one of the most powerful and influential Maritime Republics in the Mediterranean.

After the parade, 4 races take place, divided by age and boat categories.

The Regatta of the Champions is the most famous one and takes place on gondolini that cross the Grand Canal to arrive in front of the Ca ‘Foscari palace, where the floating stage, called the “machine”, is set up.

The Venice Historical Regatta is one of the races that Venetians are most passionate about.

For information and details see the website>>> or the facebook page>>>

(photo source: event website)

(*)  the origin of the word “regatta” is still unknown, but it is from Venice and from this competition that the word regatta began to spread and still today defines competitions between boats
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