Those who are visiting La Spezia this week will enjoy one of the most exciting summer time in town.
The city and the so-told “borgate marinare” (the nearby sea villages) are getting ready for the Palio del Golfo. You probably have already heard of the Palio di Siena: an historical horse race in costumes to win the “Palio”, a prize which is not so important in terms of value but that represent the victory of the most important city among districts challenge.
In La Spezia, the Palio del Golfo challenge is a rowing rage that takes place since 1932 among the sea villages around La Spezia for which they prepare all year around, not only in the sport but also for the party: the whole village people make costumes, flags and anything needed for a caravan where all villages tell a story about themselves.
The Caravan happens on Friday night (tonight) while the rowing race takes place every year in the afternoon of the First Sunday of August. The competitors will leave from the La Spezia harbour and will race to the outer breakwater to get back and trying to be the fastest rowing team.
The race and caravan are very heartfelt by La Spezia and the surrouding villages, and if you will be in town in these days you might have the chance to see supporters singing and cheering on their hometowns. Here is a list of the borgate that take part to the race and the colors of their boats and flags so you can recognize them:
Portovenere: white and red
Le Grazie: Red and white
Fezzano: Green
Cadimare: Black
CRDD – La Spezia: Navy Blue
Canaletto: Yellow
Fosamastra: Light Blue
Muggiano: (Red and Blue)
Tellaro: (Blue)
San Terenzo: (Green and White)
Lerici: (Red)
Venere Azzurra: Blue and Yellow
Marola: Orange
Le Grazie Village is the palio holder since last year, while the best caravan prize was won by Cadimare.
Who will be the Palio del GOlfo winners in 2015?