Barging in Italy – Italian Barge Cruises

Photo: Wikimedia Commons – Godromil – public domain

Held on the first Sunday of September in Venice, this is one of the city’s most celebrated annual events. Watch the canals burst into life with beautifully decorated historic boats, traditional costumes and exhilarating races, before continuing your journey through the tranquil waterways to the Renaissance city of Mantua.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra CC-SA 2.0

Experience the magic of Venice with the Regata Storica. This is the main event in the annual “Voga alla Veneta” rowing calendar. This unique sport has been practiced in the Venetian Lagoon for thousands of years. Today it is particularly well-known for the spectacular historical water pageant that precedes the race.

Procession

Venice’s Regata Storica transforms the Grand Canal into an exciting display of history and sport. About 100 boats, each adorned with period costumes, glide gracefully through the water in a colorful procession. After the parade, the focus shifts to competitive rowing races where the best rowers of Venice compete. This mix of pageantry and athleticism offers a unique way to experience the city’s rich maritime traditions.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra CC-SA 2.0

The historical procession begins in the early afternoon departing from St. Mark’s Basin, moving up the Grand Canal, past the Rialto Bridge, all the way to the Railway Station, then returning down the canal to Ca’ Foscari.

Technique

Voga alla veneta is a unique style of rowing practiced only in the Venetian lagoon. Unlike conventional rowing where the oarsman faces backward, Venetian rowing is performed standing up and facing forward, using a single oar mounted on a wooden rowlock called a forcola.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons – Godromil – public domain

This technique evolved because the shallow, narrow canals and lagoon waters of Venice required a style of rowing that gave maximum visibility and control. A rower standing at the stern can see where they are going, react to obstacles, and navigate through the tight spaces between boats, bridges, and canal walls. It takes years to master and remains one of the most distinctive skills in all of Venetian culture.

Racing

• Youth Races
• Women’s Regatta
• Caorline Regatta
• Gondolini Regatta

Video

YouTube: Venezia Unica