The "Regatta (Palio) of the Ancient Maritime Republics" is a competition on eight-oared galleons among the crews of the cities of Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice. The event was born in the postwar period and is organized every year at the beginning of the summer by turns in the four cities (June 6^th-7^th 2015 is the turn of Venice), combining a fascinating historical-cultural message with a spectacular competition. The regatta is always preceded by the solemn historical parade, famous for the precious costumes, that introduces the atmosphere of the competition.

The four cities are present with actors that wear colorful and precious costumes reproduced by ancient models, flags, trumpets and drums. Every group has the assignment to remember and to re-enact episodes and characters of the maritime history of its own city, and therefore of the whole Country and its role in the Mediterranean sea. A sea that unites the contenders and has a double meaning: once scenery of sour battles, but also net of communications and exchanges built by navigators, merchants, artists and scientists of the four Maritime Republics, it represents the most extraordinary example of interaction between different people and nations.

The sporting competition

The sporting competition lies in the challenge between the rowing crews of the 4 cities, each one composed by 8 rowers and a helmsman, on board of fiberglass boats defined by different colors and by splendid figureheads: the winged horse of Amalfi, the dragon of Genoa that reminds the protector of the city St. George, the eagle of Pisa symbol of the ancient bond between the Republic and the Romano Empire, and the winged lion of Venice, that reminds St. Mark Evangelista, patron of the city. The first figurehead passing the finishing line, at the end of the course, wins a golden and silver trophy realized by the Scuola Orafa Fiorentina representing a galleon supported by 4 hippocampus and the coats of arms of the Four Republics. The trophy remains in the hands of the winning city for one year, being then put as the prize of the following Regatta.

• Download the brochure (in Italian) of the 2015 edition, with news about the crew, the programme, the historical parade and the honor roll since 1956.

Programme

Saturday June 6th

5.30pm Gozzi's Regatta and presentation ceremony of the Crews of the Four Maritime Republics Venice in Venice Arsenal
5.30pm Gozzi first regatta
5.45pm Gozzi second regatta
6.00pm  presentation ceremony of the Crews of the Four Maritime Republics Venice in Venice Arsenal
6.30pm Regattas for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4rd placement

Sunday June 7th >> buy online your seat buy online the place to attend regatta

5.00 pm Historic pageant: the pageant will open with the four costumed delegations of Pisa, Amalfi, Genoa, Venice. The solemn parade will proceed along Riva degli Schiavoni, St. Mark’s Square, the Piazzetta and St. Mark’s Pier.
6.15 pm Start of the Galleons Regatta: The starting line will be in front of St. Elena’s Gardens. The boats will cover a distance of 2 thousand metres through the St. Mark’s Basin. Finishing line at St. Mark’s Pier.
following Crew’s Awarding ceremony at the Regatta Grandstand

You can attend the Regata comfortably seated on the uncovered stalls set up at Molo di San Marco. 
Opening at 4.30pm, the event starts at 5.00pm untill approximately 6:45pm
Full price: 50,00 Euro
Boys 6/18 years: Euro 25,00
Children under 6 accompanied by an adult free, no seat assignment.

Sponsorship: Venice to Expo
Sponsor: Camera di Commercio di Venezia, Venezia Opportunità
Partner: Actv SpA - Gruppo AVM, Alilaguna, AVA, Hotel ca' Sagredo, Hotel Continental, Interparking, Conad, Promovetro, Federazione Italiana Canotaggio sedile fisso