Italy Events and Festivals

9/07/2008 - 9/07/2008Historical Regatta

In the days when Venice was a great maritime power, skilful oarsmen were needed for both practical and ceremonial purposes. Thus evolved a tradition for rowing that has passed from the 13th century to the present day. The Historical Regatta is a spectacular sight, with the waterways filled with traditional wooden boats and gondolas of different sizes, all colourfully decorated and with crews in historic costume. There are races in the afternoon in different classes of boat, as well as ones for women and juniors. Before the races there are ceremonial parades of boats along the Grand Canal for which a great number of people wear historic costumes. The starting point is in front of the public gardens of the Castello, and the boats race to a pole driven into the centre of the Grand Canal in front of the Church of Sant'Andrea de la Zirada before turning back along the Canal to cross the finishing line