So, does it have oars?
Allright, you're good to go.
Early in the morning, several hundred boats gather in St. Mark's Basin and wait for the starting signal. Anything that can row - or be rowed - is eligible to participate, regardless of size, length, or crew.
The only requirement for the Vogalonga: it must have oars (and, of course, it helps if it floats). But that's about it - nothing more is needed.
The Vogalonga was introduced in 1975 and covers 30 km from San Marco to Burano and back through the lagoon to the starting point via the Cannaregio Canal and the Grand Canal.
This impressive race always takes place on a Sunday in late May and requires a great deal of strength and specialized rowing skills. That's why, months in advance, you can see many participants training on the city's canals.
On the afternoon of the Vogalonga, the Palio delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare takes place - a grand procession on the water featuring historical costumes and boats.
Cleverly orchestrated
Historical regattas have a long tradition in Venice. For example, there is documented evidence of a regatta held around 1300 by the Venetian Republic to recruit mercenaries for an upcoming war.
Today, the purpose of the Vogalonga - or "The Long Race" - is to serve as a peaceful protest against motorized ships and boats that pose a threat to the city.
The Vogalonga is Venice's answer to the marathon (in true Venetian style) and certainly one of the most fun events in the city on the water.
Information on the Vogalonga
: Venice's Funniest Event
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Homepage |
Vogalonga.com (Organizer) |
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Community Website |
Vogalonga.eu/de looking for paddling partners, forming boat teams, arranging rides... |
La mascareta, the women's boat
Boats with a rich history
Since the Vogalonga runs primarily through the lagoon, traditional Venetian rowing boats are particularly well-suited for the event. For example, you'll see the small, agile
- sandolo
a boat with an extremely flat bottom, rowed by one or two people standing up. The smallest version of this type of boat is called the s'ciopon.
- The puparin
is a nine- to ten-meter-long, asymmetrical boat - like a gondola - whose name derives from the elongated shape of its stern (poppa).
- Mascareta
a typical lagoon boat with a light, narrow hull, preferred mainly by women. And not to be forgotten, the
- Gondolin
a boat design created specifically for regattas and rowed by two men.
- Sanpierota
A rounded variant of the Sàndolo with a characteristic bow.
Here you will find a beautiful gallery of photos showcasing the diverse traditional boats of the Venetian lagoon.