The 'Regatta (Palio) of the Ancient Maritime Republics' is a competition on eight-oared galleons among the crews of the cities of Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice. The event was born in the postwar period and is organized every year at the beginning of the summer by turns in the four cities (June 12th 2011 is the turn of Venice), combining a fascinating historical-cultural message with a spectacular competition. The regatta is always preceded by the solemn historical parade, famous for the precious costumes, that introduces the atmosphere of the competition. The four cities are present with actors that wear colorful and precious costumes reproduced by ancient models, flags, trumpets and drums. Every group has the assignment to remember and to re-enact episodes and characters of the maritime history of its own city, and therefore of the whole Country and its role in the Mediterranean sea. A sea that unites the contenders and has a double meaning: once scenery of sour battles, but also net of communications and exchanges built by navigators, merchants, artists and scientists of the four Maritime Republics, it represents the most extraordinary example of interaction between different people and nations. The 56° edition of the Regatta will be particularly important, since it takes place during the celebrations for the 150 years since the Unification of Italy.

The sporting competition lies in the challenge between the rowing crews of the 4 cities, each one composed by 8 rowers and a helmsman, on board of fiberglass boats defined by different colors and by splendid figureheads: the winged horse of Amalfi, the dragon of Genoa that reminds the protector of the city St. George, the eagle of Pisa symbol of the ancient bond between the Republic and the Romano Empire, and the winged lion of Venice, that reminds St. Mark Evangelista, patron of the city. The first figurehead passing the finishing line, at the end of a 2 kilometers long course, wins a golden and silver trophy realized by the Scuola Orafa Fiorentina representing a galleon supported by 4 hippocampus and the coats of arms of the Four Republics. The trophy remains in the hands of the winning city for one year, being then put as the prize of the following Regatta.

The program of the event, visible from the tribune set up on the Dock of St. Mark beside Palazzo Ducale, is concentrated in the afternoon of Sunday 12th June, and includes:

- The ceremony for the consignment by the Mayor of Venice of the gonfalon of Venice to be hoisted astern on the Venetian galleon;

- The presentation of the crews to authorities and press;

- The historical parade, passing along Riva degli Schiavoni, Piazza San Marco, Piazzetta San Marco and the dock.

- The regatta of the galleons in the Basin of St. Mark, with departure from S. Elena and arrival in front of Piazza San Marco.