/ Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics

57° edition - Amalfi, 3rd June 2012

The "Regatta (Palio) of the Ancient Maritime Republics" is a competition on eight-oared galleons among the crews of the cities of Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice. The event was born in the postwar period and is organized every year at the beginning of the summer by turns in the four cities (June 3rd 2012 is the turn of Amalfi), combining a fascinating historical-cultural message with a spectacular competition. The regatta is always preceded by the solemn historical parade, famous for the precious costumes, that introduces the atmosphere of the competition. The four cities are present with actors that wear colorful and precious costumes reproduced by ancient models, flags, trumpets and drums. Every group has the assignment to remember and to re-enact episodes and characters of the maritime history of its own city, and therefore of the whole Country and its role in the Mediterranean sea. A sea that unites the contenders and has a double meaning: once scenery of sour battles, but also net of communications and exchanges built by navigators, merchants, artists and scientists of the four Maritime Republics, it represents the most extraordinary example of interaction between different people and nations.

THE SPORTING COMPETITION
The sporting competition lies in the challenge between the rowing crews of the 4 cities, each one composed by 8 rowers and a helmsman, on board of fiberglass boats defined by different colors and by splendid figureheads: the winged horse of Amalfi, the dragon of Genoa that reminds the protector of the city St. George, the eagle of Pisa symbol of the ancient bond between the Republic and the Romano Empire, and the winged lion of Venice, that reminds St. Mark Evangelista, patron of the city. The first figurehead passing the finishing line, at the end of a 2 kilometers long course, wins a golden and silver trophy realized by the Scuola Orafa Fiorentina representing a galleon supported by 4 hippocampus and the coats of arms of the Four Republics. The trophy remains in the hands of the winning city for one year, being then put as the prize of the following Regatta.

Watch the photo gallery of the 2011 edition in Venice.
Watch the video of the 2007 edition of the Regatta in Venice.
Download the brochure (in Italian) of the Venetian team for the 2012 edition, with news about the crew, the programme, the historical parade and the honor roll since 1956.


PROGRAMME

Saturday 2nd June - in Atrani

5.30 pm
Presentation ceremony of the Crews of the Four Maritime Republics


Sunday 3rd June - in Amalfi

4.30 pm
Historic pageant

6.15 pm 
Galleons of the Ancient Maritime Republics Regatta