Tens of regattas are held in Venice all the year round, and each of them has its particular magnetism. The Historical Regatta, however, combines the thrills of a sports race with the pleasure of admiring a procession of beautifully adorned historical boats (gondolini, mascarete, pupparini, caorline, gondolas) rowed by people in ceremonial vestments. The event is held on the first Sunday of September, and it consists, as said, of a procession of 16th century style boats led by the legendary bucintoro (the barge of the doges), symbol of the Most Serene Republic. The spectacular boat procession, admired by thousands of people from the banks of the Grand Canal or from especially laid out waterborne platforms, celebrates the historical gesture of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, who, in 1489, abdicated her throne in favor of Venice.

The procession is followed by four regattas, defined according to the type of vessels participating to the race: the gondolini regatta, the caorline regatta, the mascarete regatta (which is also a women’s regatta) and a pupparini regatta (a youngsters’regatta). Adjoining events also complement the procession and the races (art exhibitions, concerts, open air entertainment).

Name:
Historical Regatta (Regata Storica)
Address:
Venice, Italy
Date:
first Sunday of September
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