The Palio del Golfo of La Spezia is a rowing competition held every year on the first Sunday of August in the sea of the Gulf of La Spezia. The palio is part of the Spezzina Sea Festival, and boats from the thirteen seaside villages overlooking the Gulf of Poets participate in it. The palio was first contested in 1925 between the coastal towns of the gulf in a rowing race with boats normally used for sea fishing. However, according to chronicles of the time, a similar event was held in 1878 during the launch of the Royal Ship Dandolo.
Initially, the traditional regatta was just a challenge between crews of fish-laden boats to secure first place upon arrival in the harbor. This allowed the winner to earn higher profits than the other boats. It was only in 1934 that the race took on a sporting character with the use of hulls specifically designed and built for this purpose, replacing the traditional fishing boats. During World War II, the palio was interrupted until 1945, when the village of San Terenzo won for the first time in its history.
Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition was canceled. The race takes place inside the breakwater in the Gulf of La Spezia, in the stretch of water between the Molo Italia and the Morin promenade. Each boat has a crew of four rowers and a helmsman and must cover a total of about two kilometers in a time just over ten minutes. The competition is open to three categories: seniors, juniors, and since 1995, a women’s category.
On the Friday evening before the races, all the villages parade through the streets of La Spezia. Each village chooses a theme, determined by the president or other officials, which can relate to the neighborhood or the entire city. With the help of fans, each village creates costumes, builds floats, and invents choreographies. The thirteen villages parade through the city center, presenting their themes, which are judged by a panel of thirteen jurors, each representing one of the thirteen villages. The following Monday in Piazza Europa, the awards ceremony takes place for both the parade and the palio.
Additionally, before the race, there is the traditional launch of the Navy’s acrobatic parachutists and the commemoration of those lost at sea. Finally, on the evening of the race, the festivities conclude with a particularly impressive fireworks display.
Staying at Downtown Blue Apartment, you will be pleasantly immersed in a festive atmosphere and can witness one of the city’s most important events.