The official charter for the race was instituted by the Regatta Board of the four Maritime Republics in Amalfi on December 10, 1955. From then on, every year, the festival, which consists of an historical parade and a rowing contest, takes place in turn in one of the four Ancient Maritime Republics.

The Regatta

The regatta is a rowing contest using huge galleys constructed by Alvio Vaglini according to twelfth century models. Each galley is propelled by eight rowers and guided by a helmsman.

The four vessels, each with fixed seats, a length of eight meters, and a weight of 760 kilograms, were blessed by the Venetian Patriarch, Angelo Roncalli and launched from the banks of the Royal Gardens on )June 9, 1956.

The hulls of the ships are painted, according to the traditional colors of the four maritime cities: Amalfi, blue; Pisa, red; Genoa, white; and Venice, green. Each boat has its republic's flag hanging at its stem, and a figurehead it its prow.

For its figurehead, Amalfi uses a winged horse and a mermaid, which is one of the principle motifs used by medieval galleys; Genoa, on the other hand, uses a dragon evoking its protector, St. George; Pisa shows the imperial, Germanic eagle, in memory of the loyal help which the Tuscan Republic had offered the Swabians and the Ghibellines; Venice presents the lion of St. Mark, which is the symbol of its holy protector.

The regatta is run over a straight 2000 meter long course. In Amalfi the race begins from Cape Vettica, from a promontory which contains a sixteenth century vice regal tower.

The course then continues along the sinuous western coast to its end in Amalfi; here, the finish fine is set in front of the Great Marina with the suggestive setting of Mount Areo with the Ziro Tower, St. Lawrence of the Plain la former monastery), the Cape Cross Quarter and the former convent and Tower of St. Francis in the background.

(redazione de il foglio Costa d'Amalfi)