THE REGATTA OF THE ANCIENT MARITIME REPUBLICS

The regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics is coming back to Amalfi! The appointment is for May 16, 17 and 18, 2025. Find out what's on the schedule: you absolutely cannot miss this!

by Roberta Cascone

The Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics is a sporting event usually held between May and July since 1955 under the high patronage of the President of the Italian Republic.
The idea to give life to this event was born in Pisa with the intention of celebrating not only the achievements, but also the rivalry of the four maritime powers (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice) so that the spirit of belonging to the Republic could always be kept alive. Every year since then, four galleons compete to win the gold and silver trophy made by the Scuola Orafa Fiorentina, which is held by the winning team until the next edition. The regatta is also hosted on a rotating basis by one of the four participating cities. This year it returns to Amalfi, on the weekend of May 16-18, 2025.

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@fotomassimopica courtesy of Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare d'Italia

Features and curiosities of the Regatta

The boats participating in the Regatta are 15 meters long and 1.70 meters wide and each houses a crew of 8 rowers plus a coxswain. Once built of wood, today the boats are made of fiberglass and are distinguished by their colors and symbols, which are different for each Republic: red with an Eagle for Pisa, white with a Dragon for Genoa, green with a Winged Lion for Venice, and blue with a Winged Horse for Amalfi. The figureheads (i.e., the carvings inserted on the prow that cross the finish line) are also different for each city: for Amalfi it is the tip of the front hoof of the winged horse, for Genoa the tip of the griffon's nostrils, for Pisa the end of the eagle's talons, and for Venice half of the sword wielded by the winged lion.
The event is spread over three days, the last of which includes the competition between the Galleons, but in addition to the actual race, there are many other entertainments: an opening concert, the presentation of the crews and the historical parade.
The latter is a really interesting reenactment moment: thanks to the parade of about 300 figures dressed in period costumes, it is indeed possible to fully relive the glorious past of the participating cities. All the characters who were part of the republics are represented, recreating a truly evocative moment.

The galleons from Amalfi and Pisa with the Pisan eagle being assembled

Scenes from the 2016 Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics of Italy held in Amalfi

The program of the 70th edition and how to participate

The Program of the 70th edition is still being updated. Come back in the next few days for all the news!

Finally, the event is one of the most anticipated of the year on the Amalfi Coast, and for this reason also one of the most crowded. If you want to take part in it but don't want to stress about parking, you can always reach Amalfi with the very comfortable Travelmar ferries! Click here to buy your ticket: it's easy, fast and most importantly stress-free!

70th edition poster. Credits to comune.amalfi.sa.it

Only in Amalfi, the 2 km of the competition ground are in the open sea: in Genoa, they row into the port basin (in 2018 and 2021 they competed in the calm channel of the Genoa Pra’), and in Pisa, they row in the Arno river, while in Venice they row in the characteristic lagoon on the Adriatic Sea.
In the past years, the Historical Parade has occasionally taken place abroad.
Initially, the Republic of Venice did not want to participate in the Regatta organization, but only in the historical parade.