Regata Storica

Sunday was the Regata Storica, a festival of skill and strength of Venice's gondoliers and rowers. It's not quite a public holiday but many shops closed early and certainly the vaporettos on the Canal Grande suspended services until after the celebration.

From our apartment windows we watched the crowd start arriving by small motor boat, tying up to the nearest mooring post for a good race-viewing position. Once moored in the possie of choice the viewers - families, friends, many with dogs on board - stretched out on the hull for a nap or sat with legs dangling in the water waiting for the festivities to begin.

The Regata began with a procession of gondolas manned by gondoliers in traditional dress and was followed by races - teams of children, women, university students and men - cheered on by the crowd standing in their boats along the canal. Great fun!