Palio di San Ranieri 2018

The day after the Luminaria Festival is a day in which the people of Pisa celebrate their city’s patron saint, San Ranieri, through a rowing race and a historical parade, under the name of Palio di San Ranieri. On this occasion, the Regatta of Saint Ranieri is disputed on the Arno River among four teams representing the four districts of the city – San Francesco, San Martino, Santa Maria and Sant’Antonio.

SHORT HISTORY
The earliest information of the regatta date back to the 13th century, when the chronicles recall a palio held in the year 1292, in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Later, the regatta will recall the Battle of Lepanto from 1571, in which the Order of St. Stephen fought against the Ottomans. The fleet had to board the enemy ships and conquer the pennant. The pennant from this battle is found today in the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.

Since 1718, the palio is disputed on June 17 for the anniversary of the patron saint of Pisa, Saint Ranieri.

The boats used are inspired by the typical frigates of the Medicean Order of the Saint Stephen’s Knights. The boat of the San Francesco district is distinguished by its yellow color, that of San Martino by the red color, that of Santa Maria by the blue color and the one of Sant’Antonio by the green color.

The regatta starts from the Railway Bridge and takes place over a distance of 1,500 meters, the participants rowing against the current. The finishing line is at the Palazzo Medici, near the Ponte della Fortezza.

Each crew consists of eight rowers, a helmsman and a montatore who must climb a ten meter high flagpole, placed at the finish, on a floating platform, and retrieve the palio (the flag). The blue flag is destined to the victorious team, the white one for the second place and the red one for the third place. The last climber, who does not get a flag, will receive a pair of ducks as a consolation prize.

PALIO DI SAN RANIERI 2018 will be held on June 17, along the Arno River, with the regatta starting at sunset.