New CARNIVAL MASK for MORBIDEIDEE

With great pleasure we present new masks for the Carnival of Venice. The masks made ​​entirely by hand is a typical souvenir from Venice and a reminder of the magical atmosphere there during the Carnival celebrations. The masks can be purchased on our website as always www.morbideidee.com.

MASK JOCKER 8 punte 10 Inches Souvenir CARNIVAL OF VENICE by Morbideidee

MASK JOCKER 7 Tips 10 Inches Souvenir CARNIVAL OF VENICE by Morbideidee

MASCHERA JOCKER  Scacchi Damascato 24 Cm CARNEVALE di VENEZIA by Morbideidee

Regata Storica

VIDEO REGATA STORICA 2010

Regata Storica 2011

Sunday 4th September 2011

The Regata Storica is the main event in the annual "Voga alla Veneta" rowing calendar.

This unique sport has been practised in the Venetian lagoon for thousands of years and today it is particularly well-known for the spectacular historical water pageant that precedes the race. Scores of typically 16th century-style boats with gondoliers in period costume carry the Doge, the Doge's wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials up the Grand Canal in a brightly coloured parade.

An unforgettable sight and a true reconstruction of the glorious past of one of most the powerful and influential Maritime Republics in the Mediterranean.
Today there are four races divided in terms of age and type of craft.

The best known and most exciting of these is the "Campioni su Gondolini" race, where a series of small, sporting gondolas fly down the Grand Canal to the finishing line at the famous "machina", the spectacular floating stage located in front of the Ca' Foscari palace.

History

Past and present

From Jacopo dé Barbari map of Venice

The regata has always been extremely popular with both Venetians and visitors. The first historical record of the event dates back to the mid 13th century, when it was part of the “Festa delle Marie” celebrations. However, it is likely that regattas existed long before this, as Venice has always been a seafaring city and training reserves of oarsmen was a prime necessity. The first visual image of a regatta comes somewhat later, in the View of Venice drawn by Jacopo dé Barbari in around 1500. This map includes a detail of a group of boats with the word “regata” written at the side. From there onwards the regatta became a favourite subject with scene painters wishing to capture the festive spirit of the city. The etymology of the word is uncertain, but it probably derives from aurigare, a verb used in the 16th century as a synonym for racing, and since then the term has come to mean a boat race in all the main European languages. Originally regattas were either races between boatmen and gondoliers or regate grandi (organized for special religious or civic occasions).

Canaletto, "La Regata sul Canal Grande"

In time, financing the regattas shifted from the Republic to private individuals, who were often foreign princes. In 1797, when the Republic officially ceased to exist, the regattas certainly did not, and in that same year, the city’s democratic government announced two races for its citizens. The modern regata dates back to 1841, when the organizational expenses moved back from the private to the public sphere. In that year, the Municipality of Venice requested the Austrian authorities to proclaim an annual “boat race along the Grand Canal, organized by the local authorities to encourage gondoliers to uphold the honour of their famed skills”. In 1866 when Venice became part of the Kingdom of Italy, the focus of the event changed, and instead of just a race, the regattas became a celebration of the glorious history of the Republic of Venice. Despite this, it was not until 1899, the year of the 3rd International Biennale Art Exhibition, that this was officially recognised by Count Filippo Grimani, Mayor of Venice, who coined the name, “Regata Storica”.

The races

Regata dei gondolini

The Venetian regata has always consisted of various races with different kinds of boat (originally these included galleys, peatoni, and barges, as well as lighter boats rowed by two or more oarsmen).

Today, the most popular race is the gondolini regatta. On the day of the “Regata Storica”, St Mark’s Bay and the Grand Canal are packed with boats of every shape and size, filled with loudly cheering, local supporters. Originally, to clear the course of the race and to keep order, the regatta was preceded by a fleet of bissone (typical parade boats), with noblemen standing in the bows, armed with bows and terracotta shot (balote), which they used to pelt any particularly unruly spectators.

Today, the bissone still head the procession, but they only have a ceremonial function.

The key points and stages in the regatta are the following:

- the spagheto (rope) marking the starting line in front of the Sant’Elena gardens;

- the paleto (turning post) driven into the middle of the Grand Canal in front of the Santa Lucia railway station, the point at which the winners traditionally take the lead;

- the machina, an elaborately carved, gaily coloured floating structure moored in front of Ca’ Foscari, that constitutes both the finishing line and the stage where the cash prizes and pennants are presented.

The regatta pennants are the prize every Venetian rower dreams of: red for a winner, white (originally light blue) for second place, green for third and blue for fourth (originally yellow and depicting a pig, an animal traditionally renowned for its slow, sluggish nature).

The historical water pageant

The historical water pageant

The water parade commemorates the welcome given in 1489 to Caterina Cornaro, the wife of the King of Cyprus, who renounced her throne in favour of Venice. Scores of typically 16th century-style boats, with gondoliers in period costume carry the Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials up the Grand Canal in a brightly coloured parade. An unforgettable sight and a true reconstruction of the glorious past of one of the most powerful and influential Maritime Republics in the Mediterranean.

Venice Excursion

A day trip to the city of every person’s dreams and desires, where the magnificent palaces and churches rise from the water’s surface up to sky.

In Venice there is so much for the eye, stroll on St Marks Square to see the wonderful basilica of St Mark, The Bridge of Sighs and The Dodge’s palace.

If you appreciate crystal glass, why not visit the world famous Murano glass factory? The sights, sounds and the food of Italy is a legend itself along with a gondola trip along the Grande Canal.

A day well spent in one of worlds THE most romantic places.