Regata Storica 2011

Regata Storica brings life to the otherwise quiet summer city of Venice. Venice generally does without major events; only the Venice Carnival is truly famous beyond the country's borders. Although several hundred thousand holidaymakers travel to the lagoon city of Venice on the Adriatic, parties, events and an active nightlife in Venice on a larger scale are very rare. At the end of summer in Venice, it is Regata Storica, the richly decorated rowing regatta, that attracts attention throughout Italy and among tourists.

Regata Storica always takes place on the first Sunday in September, which this year means 04/09/2011. Broadly speaking, Venice's Regata Storica consists of two parts: the parade of decorated boats on the Grand Canal and the Venice rowing regatta. The Venice rowing regatta offers valuable prizes. The competition aboard Venice's gondolas accordingly produces a proud winner. The history of Regata Storica dates back to 1488, to the so-called “Golden Years” of the Serenissima. Many boats are faithful reproductions of 16th-century originals, and it is still a race that symbolically crowns the most powerful (and once the most influential) maritime republic. In the 21st century, spectators can enjoy various types of races. However, the Regata Storica opens with the gondola parade. The historic gondola procession along the Grand Canal sets off in the afternoon. Once again, historical figures in their costumes will bring the history of the Venetians to life. The gondolas and boats are impressively decorated with flowers, colors, fabrics and garments. Participants in Venice's Regata Storica come from rowing clubs in Veneto. The parade starts in the Bacino di San Marco.

This is followed by the “Race of Champions of the Gondolas of Venice.” Divided by age group and type of boat, the rowers compete; the youngest, for example, row around the Bank of Italy. The Women's Mascareta Regatta starts at the Giardini di Castello and passes San Marco Basin, along the Grand Canal and Rialto, to Ca 'Foscari. The full program for Venice's Regata Storica, including many other rowing regattas, is available in Venice.