Regata Storica di Venezia

The heart of Venetian rowing tradition

The Regata Storica is the most beloved and followed event of the rowing season in Venice. It takes place every year on the first Sunday of September along the Grand Canal, the water artery that crosses the historic center of the city, and it's an event that combines the spectacular, the competitive, and the historical memory of the Republic of Venice in a single day.

The Corteo Storico

The day opens with the Corteo Storico, a water parade of typical 16th-century boats, including the bissona and caorline, steered by rowers and figures in period costume. The procession commemorates the solemn welcome given by the city to Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, who in 1489 abdicated her throne in favor of the Serenissima. The historic boats travel up the Grand Canal from St. Mark's Basin to the train station, offering a scene that transports us back to the Venice of the Doges.

The races

After the procession, the competitive races begin, divided into categories: the very young on mascarete, women and men on various boats, culminating in the main event, the race of the two-oared gondolini, the most anticipated and hard-fought moment. The rowers, often from entire families of rowers from the lagoon islands, compete for the coveted flags (red, white, green, and blue) awarded to the top four finishers.

An event of Venice and the Veneto region

Organized by the Municipality of Venice, the Regata Storica is now a recognized symbol of the entire Veneto region and the culture of 'voga alla veneta'. The live RAI television broadcast brings images of the Grand Canal across Italy, while along the banks and from the typical floating grandstands (the "machines"), thousands of spectators follow the races.