Regal, captivating, and classic was this past Sunday Regata Storica. While plenty of events and parties for the
holiday weekend occurred here stateside certainly none with the level of
grandeur at the Historical Regatta in Venice, Italy. Fortunate travelers were those with canal
views seeing the sophisticated event, held annually the first Sunday of
September (1st September for 2013).
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The most drawing festival of the Venetian year, the regatta
series dates back to 1315 when Giovanni Soranzo created the races through the
cities now famous canals to allow contenders to vie for the most able of the
oarsmen. The commencement is marked by a
parade celebrating the welcome of Caterina Cornaro, The Queen of Cyprus who relinquished
her throne in favor of Venice. Fleets of
16th century-style boats with period dress gondoliers float the
Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials through
the Grand Canal, unforgettable color and significations of the influential past
hold share in the glorious parade.
The actual races are divided into four by age and type of
craft. The best known and most
exhilarating of these is the “Campioni su
Gondolini” race, small sporting gondolas that soar down to the “machina”, a stunning floating stage
located in front of Ca’ Foscari palace that doubles as the finish line.
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Click the link for his full 2013 album
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Travel to Italy in late-August- September may be the finest
time of year to venture to Venice.
Undoubtedly, the refined Regata Storica envelopes thousands of tourists
and engages all locals with a truly mesmerizing and meaningful maritime
experience.
Have you ever been to (or partaken in) a regatta? Where?
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