The Ancient Seafaring Republics Regatta is a historic and striking competition that occurs every year among the four ancient Italian Seafaring Republics: Genoa, Venice, Pisa and Amalfi.

The Ancient Seafaring Republics Regatta

 This challenge recalls the historical glory of these four Republics whose fleets dominated the Mediterranean Sea during the Middle Age.

Every year between the end of May and the first days of June this competition takes place in turn in one of this four cities.

The Regatta in Pisa

This event is preceded by a wonderful historical parade that is the most important moment of the day. 320 people in costume (80 par republic) parade through the streets recalling the most important historical episodes and heroes of each single city. 

The historical parade

The vessels used for this rowing competition are galleons reconstructed according to the original XIII century models and shoved by 8 oarsmen leaded by a helmsman.

The galleons hulls are painted according to the traditional colours of these four cities: Amalfi is symbolized by the blue colour, Genoa by the white one, Pisa by the red one  and Venice by the green one. Each galleon has on its stern a castle carrying the representative flag of its city having also a specific figure on its prow. So Amalfi has a winged horse, Genoa has a dragon that recalls its Saint Protector (San Giorgio), Pisa has an imperial German eagle and Venice has the San Marco’s lion.

Pisa's Galleon

The competition route measures 2000 linear metres.  In Amalfi the challenge starts from the Capo di Vettica (the Vettica Cape) near a promontory where there is a XVI century tower. Then the galleons continue their trip in the Tyrrhenian Sea between  Capo di Vettica and Amalfi where there is the arrival in front of the Marina Grande having as a striking background the Monte Aureo (Aureo Hill).

The winner city receives a prize made up by gold and silver created by the Florentine Goldsmith School and representing a galleon supported by four hippocampus whose inferior part is characterized by the four coats of arms of the Four Seafaring Republics. At the base of this artistic work there is a medal carrying the symbol of the winning city.

The regatta's prize

This year this event occurred on the 2th of June in Pisa that has also won the competition preceding Amalfi, Genoa and Venice.

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