11th May 2008
Venice Lagoon

The Vogalonga is the well known regatta which since 1974 has taken place in Venice on a Sunday in May. Born in order to protest against the water traffic along the Canal Grande and the necessity to protect the lagoon town from the wave-motion caused by the boats with outboard motors (a phenomenon which brings about the erosion of the foundations of the most beautiful Palaces), nowadays it has lost its protesting character and has become an evocative sports celebration you must not miss. From the morning a thick stretch of multi-coloured boats gather in St. Mark’s Basin. From here the 32 km rowing race starts and it moves as far as the islands of the Northern Lagoon in order, then, to go back to the Canal Grande. Everybody, along the canals, supports and greets the participants who, in the latest years, have been of any nationality. Actually it is an amazing and very folk Feast you must not miss.