First Sunday of September, in Venice, appointment with the Historical Regatta. This month that introduces autumn gives the lagoon city particular colors and atmospheres. These are rare moments that can only be enjoyed in September. The mild and no longer sultry climate, the transparency of the air, the sharpness of the colors give the city an extra attribute that makes it, if possible, even more attractive. Perhaps for all these reasons put together, the month of September - in particular its first two weeks - in the lagoon has a calendar full of events. It is the period of the Mostra del Cinema, the Campiello Prize, the Venice Glass Week. Of the opening of many exhibitions and, more Venetian than ever, of the Historical Regatta on the Grand Canal.
The ancient origins of a tradition that is still very much alive
The Historical Regatta is the main appointment of the usual summer calendar of Venetian rowing competitions. The first historical evidence dates back to the mid-1200s, but perhaps its origins are even older.
They were motivated by the need that the Venetians had to skillfully conduct rowing boats in a city where the canals were more in number than the land routes. He testifies to it, in 1500, Jacopo de 'Barbari in his famous View of Venice. The images of the Historical Regatta will be repeatedly taken up in the paintings of the following centuries and will always represent a moment of big party for the lagoon city.
The water procession homage to the queen of Cyprus Caterina Cornaro
One of the most spectacular moments of the Historical Regatta is the spectacular water procession that precedes the races. A parade of dozens and dozens of typical sixteenth-century boats, carrying those who in ancient times were the highest authorities of the Republic of Venice: the doge, the dogaressa and the highest offices of the Venetian magistracy. Today, as then, it is still like this.
The historical reconstruction of boats and characters brings each year back to the ancient glories of the Serenissima, recalling the welcome given to Caterina Cornaro in 1489. The Venetian noblewoman, married to the king of Cyprus, when she became a widow gave the island to her city. And it really is Caterina Cornaro one of the main protagonists of the historical parade.
The most awaited regatta is that of two-oared gondolini
This year's program. The Historical Parade will parade, accompanied by the boats of the rowing associations and of Venetian rowing, starting at 16 pm from the San Marco Basin and will travel along the Grand Canal up to Rialto, Ferrovia and always back in the Grand Canal up to Ca 'Foscari. At 16.30 pm the competitive competitions will begin. First the mascarete regatta reserved for boys. At 16.50 the regatta of the very young on pupparini with two oars. At 17.10 it will be the turn of the six-oared caorline. At 17.40 pm it will be the turn of the women's regatta on two-oared mascarete. Lastly, starting at 18.10, the two-oared gondolini regatta, the one reserved for the champions who will animate this highlight of the event. Until the finish in front of the “machina”, the spectacular floating stage placed in front of Ca 'Foscari.
Watching this show from the boat is an exciting experience, but it is also possible to settle down along the banks of the Grand Canal to be able to enjoy the passage of the historical procession and the regattas. This year, as usual in all events, the use of the mask will be mandatory both on the boat and on land. It is good to remember that normally on the Sunday of the Historical Regatta the weather in Venice is always beautiful. It can also happen that it rains in the morning but, in the middle of the afternoon, the sky almost always clears up and gives this show, and the city, magical lights.
The Historical Regatta will be broadcast live at 17.25pm on Rai 2.
