Experience the vibrant history and thrilling races at the Regata Storica, one of the most celebrated traditions of Venice! You don’t want to miss a moment of this must-see event showcasing traditional rowing races and a historical boat parade. The Regata Storica takes place every first Sunday of September, which is this year on September 1, 2024.
In this post, I will first give you some historical background on the event. Afterwards, I will give you practical details about the program, as well as some insider tips to find the perfect place to watch it.
History
Regatas have been part of the Venetian life for a very long time. The first records go back to the 13th century, when a regata was organized for the Festa delle Marie.
The origins of the Regata Storica go back to 1841, when the Municipality of Venice asked the Austrian authorities to organize an annual boat race on Canal Grande. This would give the opportunity to encourage the gondoliers and honour their skills. In 1866, when Venice became part of Italy, the focus of the event shifted towards a celebration of the history of the Republic of Venice. In 1899, the name ‘Regata Storica’ was given by Count Filippo Grimani, the mayor of Venice.
The 2024 program of the Regata Storica
18.00
Presentation of the teams and blessing of the gondolini (Campo della Salute)
16.00
Historical parade
16.30
Maciarele and schie regata (for children) (Maciarele senior <14: from Punta della Dogana to Ca’ Foscari – Maciarele junior <12: from San Stae to Ca’ Foscari – Schie <10: from Rialto to Ca’ Foscari)
16.50
Young rowers’ twin-oared pupparini regata
17.10
Six-oared caorline regata
17.30
International Universities Boat Challenge: eight-oared galeoni boat by the crew of the Ca’ Foscari and Iuav University of Venice versus the teams of other universities (from Rialto to Ca’ Foscari)
17.40
Women’s twin-oared mascarete regata
18.10
Twin-oared gondolini regata
The standard course of the parade and the races is from Bacino di San Marco along Canal Grande to Rialto, with finish at Ca’ Foscari. I advise you to check the timing closer to the event, in case it has been altered.
Team presentation and blessing
The main events of the Regata Storica take place on Sunday. However, if you are around, you should also attend the presentation of the teams and the blessing of the gondolini on Thursday. This is mainly attended by the locals, who come to cheer for their friends and family who were able to qualify for this race. The young rowers and the women are presented on the stairs of the Santa Maria della Salute church. The male rowers come with their gondolini and are blessed while standing in the boats. This gives you a good opportunity to discover the teams and their respective colors, so you can select your favorite team for Sunday.
The historical parade
Watch as the stunning 16th-century-style boats, adorned in vibrant colors, glide gracefully through Canal Grande. The costumed rowers carry the Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials up the Canal Grande. It commemorates the welcome of Caterina Cornaro in 1489, the wife of the King of Cyprus, who renounced her throne in favour of Venice.
The Serenissima is one of the most beautiful parade ships of Venice and heads the parade during the Regata Storica. It represents the Bucintoro, which used to be the official state vessel of the Doge, with the first one being built in 1311. The last and most magnificent one was constructed in 1729 for Doge Alvise III Sebastiano Mocenigo. The ship was 35 m long and more than 8 m high and it required 168 oarsmen and 40 sailors to sail it. Unfortunately, the ship was destroyed in 1798 by Napoleon. The Fondazione Bucintoro is rebuilding the 1729 Bucintoro, which will then be used on major events such as the Regata Storica. Until that’s finished in a few more years, we will have to admire the Serenissima.
The regatas
The Venetian residents are mainly interested in the races that follow the parade. Each regata is sailed in a different traditional boat, depending on the age and the gender of the rowers. The young rowers use pupparini, which are fast, agile boats with a wider stern. The women use the light and shorter boat mascareta. The men race in a six-oared caorlina and for the main regata in a gondolino. This was designed and built exclusively for the Regata Storica and is lighter and faster than a gondola. If you want to read more about the different vessels, the website of the Regata Storica provides more detail on each of these.
The participating boats do not only have a number, but – since 1843 – they are also painted in bright colors. They are repainted every year to avoid superstition that a certain color would always be winning. The colors make it easy to recognize them from far away and makes the whole event even more festive.
The regata ‘bandieri’ (flags) are the prize every Venetian rower dreams of. The colors for the first 3 rowers correspond to the Italian flag: red for the winner, white for second place and green for third place. There is also a blue flag for the fourth team. The brothers Rudy and Igor Vignotto hold the record with 19 bandieri, of which 10 red, 7 white, 1 green and 1 blue. If a rower wins the race 5 years in a row, he gets the title ‘Re del Remo’ (King of the Oar), a very honorable title in Venice. The last team to receive this honor goes back to 1983, when Palmiro Fongher and Gianfranco Vianello won for the 7th time. Sergio Tagliapietra ‘Ciaci’ and Giuseppe Fongher ‘Bepi’ hold the record with 8 consecutive wins from 1969 to 1976.
Where should you be standing?
As this is a major event, both celebrated by locals and by tourists, you should expect that it will be very crowded around Canal Grande. Finding a good place to watch the whole event is the only thing you might have to worry about. Many locals watch the event from their boat, so there will be plenty moored along the canal. You also have to take into account that the vaporetto will be suspended in Canal Grande and the Bacino di San Marco for most of the afternoon. This implies that you will have to leave early (before 14.00) if you want to use these or that you will have to walk.
I personally like to take a seat (on the ground) or to stand at the Punta della Dogana. You won’t see the finish of the races (where it’s really crowded) but you will have a very good view on the historical parade as well as on the regatas. It is also close to the Campo della Salute where you can listen to the live coverage via Radio Venezia.
Have you experienced the Regata Storica? Share your favorite moments in the comments below.
You can read more about other traditional events in Venice in my post ‘The history behind the traditional events in Venice’.
Have fun!