Regata Storica 2025

Regata Storica 2025 (Historical Regatta 2025) will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in the beautiful city of Venice.

Regata Storica, both a historical reenactment event and a sporting event, is one of Venice’s most anticipated and vibrant traditions, celebrating the city’s centuries-old rowing tradition while paying homage to its maritime legacy.

This annual event combines a thrilling regatta with a lavish historical parade, transforming the canals of Venice into a stunning display of color, culture, and athleticism.

For Venetians and visitors alike, Regata Storica is more than just a race. It’s a tribute to Venice’s relationship with the water, a reminder of the city’s rich past, and an affirmation of its enduring spirit.

WHAT IS THE DATE FOR REGATA STORICA 2025?

Regata Storica 2025

As usual, Regata Storica 2025 will be held on the first Sunday in September.

The exact date on which the event will take place is Sunday, September 7, 2025.

WHAT IS THE LOCATION OF THE HISTORICAL REGATTA 2025?

The Historical Regatta 2025 will take place, of course, in Venice.

Venice is the capital of the Veneto region, with 50,000 people living in the historical center of the city, from a total of about 265,000 people in the metropolitan area.

The historical center of Venice is composed of 118 small islands, and is divided into six areas called sestieri: Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Marco, and Castello.

SHORT HISTORY OF THE HISTORICAL REGATTA

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.

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.

Historical Regatta 2025

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.

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.

REGATA STORICA TODAY

Regata Storica begins with a magnificent historical parade (corteo storico), on the Grand Canal.

This parade is a feast for the eyes, featuring richly decorated boats, colorful costumes, and representations of prominent historical figures, including the Doge and his court.

The boats in the parade are often designed to resemble 16th-century Bissone and Bucintoro – traditional Venetian ceremonial boats with ornate carvings and golden accents.

The pageantry is not only a visual spectacle, but also a tribute to the Venetian Republic’s glorious past.

Rowers and passengers dress in period costumes, evoking the grandeur of the Doge’s court and the nobles who once ruled the city.

The parade reenacts the journey of Catherine Cornaro and her grand arrival in Venice, immersing spectators in a piece of Venetian history and offering a glimpse of what life might have looked like during the city’s golden age.

As the parade glides down the Grand Canal, crowds gather along the banks, waving flags and cheering on the participants.

The historical procession sets the stage for the regatta, building excitement and drawing spectators into the historical narrative of Venice’s maritime prowess.

Regata Storica 2025

Following the historical parade, the main event begins: a series of competitive races featuring different categories and boats.

The races showcase traditional Venetian boats such as gondolini, caorline, and mascarete, each with its own history and significance.

Rowers compete in these distinct boat classes, racing down the Grand Canal in a stunning display of strength, skill, and coordination.

The most prestigious race of the day is the Regata dei Campioni su Gondolini, or Champions’ Race, which features small, agile gondolini – sleeker and faster than the traditional gondola.

This race is the highlight of the Regata Storica, as the city’s best rowers compete for glory in a high-stakes showdown that draws intense focus from both rowers and spectators.

In addition to the Champions’ Race, the event includes a variety of races catering to different age groups and levels of expertise.

There is a Regata delle caorline, a race featuring six-oared caorline boats, which were historically used for transporting goods and people.

Another race, the Regata dei giovanissimi, is dedicated to young rowers and represents a celebration of Venice’s younger generations carrying on the rowing tradition.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR REGATA STORICA 2025

The Historical Regatta 2025 will begin 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.

Seven rowing races will take place during the day, structured by category, according to the age of the crew and the number of rowing men.

The races will start in the San Marco Basin, will run along the Grand Canal, passing by Ponte dell’Accademia, to reach the Ca’ Foscari Palace, where a floating platform called Machina will mark the finish line.

• 4.00 pm – Historical parade along the Grand Canal, with costumed crews, boats and gondolas;
• 4.30 pm – Maciarele and Schie regatta, two-oared regatta dedicated to children;
• 4.50 pm – Young rowers’ twin-oared regatta;
• 5.10 pm – Six-oared caorline regatta;
• 5.40 pm – Women’s twin-oared mascarete regatta;
• 6.10 pm – Twin-oared gondolini regatta.