Venice's Historical Regatta - 13th September 2023

It's the first Sunday of September and the Grand Canal of Venice is busy with gondolas and boat races. The Historical Regatta happens annually and draws crowds from all over.

Patric Scherzinger, from Germany appreciates the presentation of the boat parade. Martina Eckel attends the event every year.

Patric Scherzinger: "It's really all about the presentation of the boats, the historic ones. The regatta itself, yes, is not that impressive. But the historical part with all the costumes and the preparation of the boats, that is of course ingenious, you really have to say that."

Martina Eckel: "Very beautiful as every year, and as a Venetian, it is always a wonderful experience every year to see it."

Many sixteenth century boats with sailors called gondoliers dressed in traditional costumes parade through the city. They transport the historic leader, the Doge with his family and other city officials in a colourful parade. The regatta celebrates the history of Venice, a city of 118 islands which uses boats as its main means of transport.

The regatta dates back to 942 CE when at a festival in the city, pirates kidnapped some Venetian women. The gondoliers rowed after the pirates in their boats and brought the women safely back to Venice. This is remembered through the boat races.

Lidiano Enzo believes that the regatta is a great way to promote Venice.

Lidiano Enzo: "We do these events to promote Venezia football and Venice because it is a unique city in the world and so it is beautiful."

For many, when they think of Venice they imagine a quiet, romantic gondola ride under bridges with a singing gondolier.

To Emmanuel Granat, who's visiting from France, the regatta reflects the true Venice.

Emmanuel Granat: "The boats are magnificent, the costumes are magnificent... There's an atmosphere, a little bit of music, it's Venice."