The Palio Marinaro di San Pietro is a sporting event of historical re-enactment, established in 1955.

History

The Palio founded in 1955 just like the Regatta of the Historical Marine Republics. The Comune of Genoa equipped each of the coastal districts with a 22-

palm Palm most commonly refers to: * Palm of the hand, the central region of the front of the hand * Palm plants, of family Arecaceae **List of Arecaceae genera * Several other plants known as "palm" Palm or Palms may also refer to: Music * Palm (ba ...

regatta goiter boat, made of

mahogany Mahogany is a straight-grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus ''Swietenia'', indigenous to the AmericasBridgewater, Samuel (2012). ''A Natural History of Belize: Inside the Maya Forest''. Austin: Unive ...

and cedar wood from Ligurian shipyards: there were 12, about 6.5 meters long and weighing about 300 kilograms, distinguished by a subsequent number, from Ponente to Levante. For each goiter boat there was a crew, strictly of the own rione, consisting of four rowers and a helmsman who guided the boat in the wake, or rowing standing up with two oars. The Sunday of the event, established each year, was the one immediately preceding or following the feast of San Peter and Paul. There are 12 rioni that challenge in the regatta: Sant'Ilario (Purple),

Nervi Nervi is a former fishing village 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Portofino on the Riviera di Levante, now a seaside resort in Liguria, in northwest Italy. Once an independent ''comune'', it is now a ''quartiere'' of Genoa. Nervi is 4 miles ( ...

(Orange), Quinto (Light blue), Quarto (Gray),

Sturla Sturla (Stûrlâ in Ligurian) is a quartiere of Genoa. It began life as an ancient fishing village which developed around a number of small coves – Sturla a Mare, at the mouth of the Sturla river, Vernazzola and Boccadasse (Boccadasse is now in ...

(Yellow), Vernazzola (Dark blue), Foce (Red / Blue ), Centro Storico (White / Yellow), Dinegro (White / Blue),

Sampierdarena Sampierdarena (also San Pier d'Arena; Ligurian: San Pè d'ænn-a) is a major port and industrial area of Genoa, in northwest Italy. With San Teodoro it forms the West Central (Centro Ovest) ''municipio''. Geography Sampierdarena lies on t ...

(White / Green), Sestri Pontente (White / Black) and

Voltri Voltri is a quartiere of the Italian city of Genoa, located west of the city centre. It was formerly an independent comune. In 2015, Voltri and the nearby hamlets included in Genoa's VII Municipio (Crevari, Acquasanta, Vesima, Fabbriche) had a ...

(Green). In origin, the Palio took place in the sea water space in front of the Foce beach, then very large, next to the church of San Pietro dedicated to the patron saint of fishermen. Subsequently, the construction of Piazzale Kennedy caused the competition venue to migrate to the waters in front of the San Nazaro bathing establishment. In 1986 the wooden goiters were replaced by the current 5.5 meters long fiberglass goiters and weighing about 200 kilograms.

The twelve rioni

* Sant'Ilario (Purple) * Nervi (Orange) * Quinto (Light blue) * Quarto (Gray) * Sturla (Yellow) * Vernazzola (Dark blue) * Foce (Red / Blue) * Centro Storico (White / Yellow) * Dinegro (White / Blue) * Sampierdarena (White / Green) * Sestri Pontente (White / Black) * Voltri (Green)

The historical parade

The historic parade is scheduled on the Saturday preceding Sunday's race.

The race

The Palio takes place in the stretch of sea in front of the church of San Pietro at Foce, a district of Genoa. The fiberglass goiters have a crew of four rowers and a

coxswain The coxswain ( , or ) is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from ''cock'', referring to the cockboat, a type of ship's boat ...

in the race. On 3 July 2022, only seven Genoese

rioni The Rioni ( ka, რიონი, ; , ) is the main river of western Georgia (country), Georgia. It originates in the Caucasus Mountains, in the region of Racha and flows west to the Black Sea, entering it north of the city of Poti (near ancient P ...

: Sant'Ilario-Capolungo (purple),

(orange), Quinto (light blue), Sturla-Vernazzola (blue), Foce (blue and red),

Sestri Ponente Sestri Ponente is an industrial suburb of Genoa in northwest Italy. It is part of the Medio Ponente ''municipio'' of Genoa. Geography It is situated on the Ligurian Sea four miles to the west of the city, between Pegli and Cornigliano. Its pop ...

(black and white) and

(green) raced in the 62nd Palio Marinaro di San Pietro covering 1 nautical mile, composed of 6 turning points.

The seven rioni

* Sant'Ilario-Capolungo *

* Quinto * Sturla-Vernazzola * Foce *

The trophy

Andrea Doria Andrea Doria, Prince of Melfi (; lij, Drîa Döia ; 30 November 146625 November 1560) was a Genoese statesman, ', and admiral, who played a key role in the Republic of Genoa during his lifetime. As the ruler of Genoa, Doria reformed the Repu ...

awarded the winning crew is a reproduction of the ancient door-knocker represent

Neptune Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and the farthest known planet in the Solar System. It is the fourth-largest planet in the Solar System by diameter, the third-most-massive planet, and the densest giant planet. It is 17 times ...

, from the Palazzo del Principe's northern entrance.

Winners

References

External links

Il Palio di San Pietro
{{Authority control Genoa Boat races Italian traditions Festivals in Italy Tourist attractions in Liguria Sport in Liguria July sporting events Historical competitions of Italy