VENICE, ITALY
«- SEP. 2023»
REGATTA STORICA

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Photos © Ruud Leeuw

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Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

The Regatta Storica 2023 took place on Sunday 03 Sep2023, in the beautiful city of Venice.
The 'Historical Regatta', the most important event of the Voga alla Veneta ('Row like a Venetian') calendar, is both a historical reenactment event and a sporting event, which takes place every year on the first Sunday of September, in Venice.
I had it for a while on my bucket list and it was great to finally attend!


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Historical parade along the Grand Canal, with costumed crews, boats and gondolas.

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

The nature of the Venetian Lagoon encouraged rowing since the first people settled in the area. Forced to move mainly on water, the skills of the locals were soon recognized, and from here to the organization of rowing competitions it was only one step.

According to legend, the origin of the regatta dates back to the year 942, when, during a popular festival, the pirates kidnapped some Venetian women. Immediately, the pirates were chased by men in boats, who managed to catch them and release the women...
www.italyscapes.com/events/veneto/venice/historical-reenactments/Regata-Storica-2023/



 


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

'The first use of the term regata appears in a document of 1274, proving that regattas took place as early as the 13th century. The public authorities of the time began to encourage this type of sporting activity, to prepare the crews of the battleships for conflicts at sea.

Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, the regattas were organized by Compagnie della Calza, a theatrical association which arranged feasts and games in Venice.

In 1631, the Council of Ten (Consiglio dei Dieci), one of the major governing bodies of the Serenissima, decreed that only the State could organize the regattas.'


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

 


 

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

'The name Storica (Historical) was introduced in 1899, on the proposal of the mayor of the time, Filippo Grimani.

Around the same time, a historical procession was also proposed, to commemorate the triumphal reception in Venice of Catherine Cornaro, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Cyprus. The Queen, coming from a wealthy and influential Venetian family, abdicated in 1489 in favor of Venice, being applauded upon her return.

In 1939, due to the beginning of the Second World War, the Historical Regatta was cancelled, and it resumed only in 1946. Since 1946, the event took place every year.'

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023


 


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

 


 


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
It was hard to find a decent spot to take pictures, the police prevented people pausing on the bridge.

'This day, the Historical Regatta began (at 16:00) with an impressive procession of boats similar to those of the 16th century, which navigate the Grand Canal, headed by a replica of the famous Bucentaur (Bucintoro), the festive ship of the Doges of Venice.
en.wikipedia.org:_Bucentaur

Seven rowing races took place during the day, structured by category, according to the age of the crew and the number of rowing men.
The races usually starts in the San Marco Basin, run along the Canal Grande, passing by Ponte dell’Accademia, to reach the Ca’ Foscari Palace, where a floating platform, called Machina, marks the finish line.'


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023



 


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Teams for the races

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

 


 


Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

'The Venice Historical Regatta is the most important Venetian rowing competition and always takes place on the first Sunday of September, this year on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023.
The first evidence of the competition dates back to the mid-1200s, but the first image related to it appears in a 1500s Map of Venice, by Jacopo dé Barbari, where there is a group of boats with the words 'regata'.

The Historical Regatta is the re-enactment of the welcome given in 1489 to the Venetian wife of the King of Cyprus, Caterina Cornaro, who was left a widow and renounced the throne to return to her hometown by giving up the regency to the Republic of Venice.
The event starts with a parade of dozens and dozens of typical 16th-century multicolored boats, with gondoliers in costume. They transport the doge, the dogaressa, Caterina Cornaro and all the top of the Venetian magistracy, in a faithful reconstruction of the glorious past of one of the most powerful and influential Maritime Republics in the Mediterranean...

After the parade, 4 races take place, divided by age, by categories and by type of boat.
The Regatta of the Champions is the most famous and takes place on gondolini that cross the Grand Canal to arrive in front of the Ca ‘Foscari palace, where the floating stage, called the 'machine', is set up.
The Venice Historical Regatta is one of the races that Venetians are most passionate about.'

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
My Panasonic FZ1000 Mk.II camera allowed me to shoot my photos over my head, framing on the fold out screen as
good as I could. This way I avoided the people in front to me, but those bollards were often unavoidable in the long shots.

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
As yet I have been unable to find an explanation for the black masks.. (EMAIL me!)

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Grand spectacle!

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Miss Riviera del Brenta

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Both my batteries in the Panasonic FZ1000 II were spent by the time the Regatta Storica was finished, and to use my Leica Q2 I needed to find a different spot for photography. We walked on the other side towards Rialto, but crowds blocked a good view everywhere...


 

Whilst slowly walking towards Rialto occasionally I found a spot to photograph participants of the race.
Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Impossible to find a spot using a wide angle lens!

Young rowers’ twin-oared regatta and the other races will be documented on some future visit!
Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Moving towards the starting line...
Canal Grande from the air (Venice)

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023

Regatta Storica @Venice 2023
Note that the woman in the white boat, the one in front, has her right leg in plaster!

Next time I have to bring more batteries for the Pana FZ1000.2, the Leica Q2 can be cropped but a zoomlens is better.

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VENICE 2023 | VENICE REGATTA STORICO | VENICE 2023 B&W | VENICE PALAZZO GRASSI & DUCALE |
| ITALY 2023 PAGE ONE | ITALY PAGE TWO |

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Check this out!
EXTERNAL LINKS:
www.regatastoricavenezia.it/en
en.wikipedia.org_Venice
www.visit-venice-italy.com
venice blog
theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/venices-best-independent-bookstores
venicexplorer.com/the-city/venice-annual-events/regata-storica


 

 

 

Created: 20-Oct-2023 | Updated 16-Apr-2025