Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics

The Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics is a rowing race between the four most important maritime areas of ancient Italy which first took place in 1955. The four teams which take part are from Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Genoa and Pisa. The race, under the high patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, is held annually on a day between the end of May and the beginning of July, and is hosted in rotation between those cities. The race is preceded by a colourful parade of characters representing each republic through the streets of the host city.




Each boat, rowed by a crew of eight rowers and a coxswain is made of fibreglass and decorated in bright colours to represent the city and headed by a figurehead: the winged horse of Amalfi, the dragon famed by it's encounter with St. George, the protector of Genoa; the eagle of Pisa, symbolizing the ancient bond between the Republic and the Holy Roman Empire; and the winged lion of Venice, representing Saint Mark the Evangelist, the patron saint of the city. The first figurehead over the finish line wins the coveted gold and silver trophy produced by the Goldsmith School of Florence depicting a galleon rowing supported by 4 seahorses, under which appear the coats of arms of the four Republics. The trophy remains in the hands of the winning city for a year.


The triumphant Venetian crew of 2015. The next time the race takes place in Venice will be 2019.