Vogalonga

Amongst the many events that take place in Venice, the Vogalonga is one of the most recent. Once more, the indisputable tie between Venice and the water is remarked thanks to this rowing marathon in which any kind of rowing ship takes part. For this occasion motorboats cannot sail canals to leave space to the most characteristic and ancient boats of the city. This aim is to focus the contrast between the Venetian rowing tradition and the traffic caused by motorboats. These modern boats make incalculable damage to the stone of ancient buildings that face canals. The awareness of this and the deep love that the inhabitants of this unique city have for its origins, have made of the Vogalonga a more and more important appointment. In fact, the number of participants and boats that take part to it has improved. This non-competitive marathon, compared to others, is not really ancient. The first one took pace on 8^th May 1975 and it does not need the money from the state or private sponsors because it is organized and paid by whose who love Venice and care for its future. Their aim has always be to act against the slow but incessant decline of the city mainly caused by the destructive waves that motorboats caused.

The Vogalonga's way.

The way, of 30 kilometres long, starts from Piazza San Marco’s basin, continues till Burano crossing the lagoon and goes back to the city running through the Canal Grande. The finishing line is at Punta della Dogana in front of Piazza San Marco.