A major rowing competition is held each year on the waters of the Gulf of La Spezia. The ‘Palio del Golfo’ is an historic event; in fact, this year the Palio celebrated its 100th anniversary.

All thirteen villages around the bay’s coastline take part, each one represented by a different colour. Fezzano is the green team.

The tradition of the Palio is steeped in local maritime culture. It’s said to have been inspired by early fishing boats’ impromptu races to shore as they competed to have their catch unloaded first.

Today’s boats, crafted by artisans, are modelled on those original fishing ‘gozzi’. Now though, they’re sleek, modern craft, designed for speed, and crewed by four rowers and a cox.

The regatta is hotly contested, with a number of pre-Palio events held in the weeks leading up to the main event. Last time we were here for the race, in 2023, the Fezzano men’s team was victorious.

This year, the Fezzano juniors and women were highly fancied and, though our men had been rowing well, it was thought the Canaletto team, the yellow boat, could be the one to beat.