Venice Guide and Boat
Regata Storica 2025: Venice’s Epic Water Parade and Rowing Spectacle
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Venice will once again host the Regata Storica, its iconic historical regatta along the Grand Canal. This annual event, held on the first Sunday of September, is a living echo of Venice’s maritime and civic grandeur—rich in history, pageantry, and fierce competition.
The roots of Regata Storica stretch back to the 13th century, when races were part of the Festa delle Marie. Likely even older, these water contests began as training for Venice’s rowers—vital members of its naval might. The word regata probably comes from Italian aurigare, meaning to race, and Venice gave the world this term, now used globally in many languages.
By 1899, under Mayor Filippo Grimani, the race was christened “Storica” and paired with an elaborate historical procession, honoring the arrival of Queen Caterina Cornaro of Cyprus in 1489—costumed figures, gondolas, and richly decorated boats parade through the Bacino di San Marco and the Grand Canal, evoking the glory of the Serenissima.
The procession ushers in a series of rowing contests featuring traditional Venetian boats: gondolini, caorline, pupparini, and mascarete. Competitors race along the Grand Canal, rounding the paleto (marker pole) and aiming for the finish at the ornate machina at Ca’ Foscari, where winners receive colourful banners. Local crowds cheer “Forza!” along the banks, creating an electric, communal atmosphere.
For Venetians, Regata Storica is more than a race: it’s a celebration of their identity and a ritual that connects the city’s past with its present—drawing both natives and visitors to line the canals in shared pride and excitement.
Tips for Visitors
- Find a riverside spot near Ponte di Rialto or Ca’ Foscari for optimal viewing.
- Arrive early to witness the historical procession, with the Doge and dignitaries in ceremonial parade.
- After the race, explore neighbourhoods like Dorsoduro or enjoy a spritz in San Marco, enjoying sightlines across quieter canals.
- Join locals at a “Disnar per la Storica”, a communal Venetian dinner held across squares the evening before the race
