View of the Arno from Ponte Citadelle - Pisa

The Palio is rowed on the river Arno, which divides Pisa in two.

Since July 1, 1956, the Regatta (or Palio) of the old Maritime Republics has been held alternately in one of the four participating cities: Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice. It takes place between the end of the month of May and the first days of July.

And every time it is a spectacle that the many tourists, Italians and foreigners, take pictures of.

What are the rules?

Simple: Four 12-meter boats weighing 700 kilograms, with eight rowers and a helmsman, compete on a 2-kilometer course. In Pisa, the crews row against the current on the Arno : from the bridge of the Aurelia to the Building of the Prefecture.

Each boat is characterized by the colors and the symbol of the city it represents: red for Pisa and an eagle on the bow; for Genoa white and a dragon; for Amalfi bauw and a winged horse; finally, for Venice green and a winged lion.

The boat/city that finishes first at the finish wins a gold and silver trophy made by the Florentine goldsmith school.

While planning our next vacation in a villa in Tuscany, don't forget to take a look at the calendar of the Regatta (or Palio) of the ancient Maritime Republics to see where the next edition will take place.

If it is in Tuscany, from the offers of holiday villa rentals in Pisa we can choose a villa overlooking the lungarni, to enjoy the spectacle in the best way.

Willem Vandenameele