Among the city’s most anticipated and evocative events, held every year on the first Sunday of September, the Historical Regatta is a ritual on the water that brings together sport, history, culture, and spectacle along the banks of the Grand Canal.
The event is rooted in voga alla veneta, the traditional Venetian rowing style, and has very ancient origins. The earliest written records date back to the mid-13th century, although rowing competitions likely existed much earlier, reflecting Venice’s deep and enduring relationship with the sea.
The day opens with the historical parade, a striking procession of traditional boats and costumed figures that travels along the Grand Canal. The parade reenacts the ceremonial welcome offered in 1489 to Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, who abdicated in favor of the Serenissima, celebrating the splendor and power of the Venetian Republic.
The parade is followed by the rowing races, featuring competitors divided by category and boat type: from mascarete and pupparini to caorline and the iconic gondolini with two rowers. Crews compete for the coveted colored flags awarded to the top finishers, enduring symbols of prestige and pride among Venetian rowers.
For Venetians and visitors alike, attending the Historical Regatta means immersing oneself in the city’s maritime culture, experiencing the festive atmosphere that fills the calli and waterfronts, and witnessing a tradition where past and present merge into a single, spectacular day on the water. It is a moment when the city pauses, reflects itself in the waves of the Grand Canal, and celebrates its profound bond with the lagoon and the art of rowing.
Featured image: Courtesy Regata Storica
