This year it’s number 19! The annual event of the “Palio Remiero delle Contrade of Cavallino Treporti” took place last sunday, June 17! Live with us a day in the name of old traditions of the Cavallino peninsula.

Andrea, Chiara and I had the chance to experience this event dedicated to outdoor sport and traditions. Recalling ancient historic memories, the Palio event commemorated the lagoon crossings made by the peasants, their ancestors and not only, to reach the city of Venice. Try to imagine the greengrocers from Cavallino, from Vignole and from Sant’Erasmo, who every single morning used to compete in a challenge of rowing strokes in order to guarantee themselves the best stationing at the famous horticultural Market of Rialto! To whom who didn’t already know, the “voga alla veneta” is an ancient sailing technique, with which people managed to nimbly move along the low and sandy lagoon canals’ bottoms.

Our sunday starts at 11.30am at the Pascoli cultural centre where Piero Santostefano presents his interesting new book “Lio Piccolo in the 19th century”.

After a super delicious lunch we have a stroll at the street market of craftsmanship and Mediterranean tastes in Santa Maria Elisabetta Square. Finally it’s four o’clock, and we cannot wait anymore to witness to regattas and races! The first one is the regatta of the Maciarele on Mascarete with two oars, followed by Caorline’s regatta… One by one occur the awards ceremonies for each category.

The atmosphere is exciting, captivating, engaging and contagious. Everyone around us has a big smile on his face and above all we are completely overwhelmed by the wonder that surrounds us: the amazing landscape of the Northern Venetian Lagoon, the colourful traditional watercrafts, the twelve dressed-up contradas and, last but not least, the contagious enthusiasm of the locals taking part in the Palio.

Totally satisfied by this sunday, that forecasts the summer season, we hope we managed to put down in black and white the thrill of such experience. For those who still hadn’t the chance to see the Palio, we passionately suggest you don’t miss it next year. It’s really worth it!