Vogalonga 2026: Venice’s Great Rowing Festival Explained | Tour Leader Venice
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2026
There are events that happen in Venice, and events that belong to Venice.
The Vogalonga is unquestionably the second.
On Saturday, May 24, 2026, the lagoon will once again fill with the sound of oars cutting through the water, as thousands of rowers from around the world gather for one of Venice’s most moving and authentic celebrations. More than a regatta, more than a sporting event, the Vogalonga is an act of love — for Venice, for water, for rowing, and for a way of life that refuses to disappear.
This is not a race. It is a journey. And it tells the story of Venice better than any speech ever could.
What Is the Vogalonga
The Vogalonga is a non-competitive rowing event covering approximately 30 kilometers through the Venetian lagoon, its islands, and the Grand Canal.
Born to promote respect for Venice’s fragile environment and to defend traditional rowing against motorized traffic, the Vogalonga has remained faithful to its original mission since its very first edition:
- To celebrate rowing as cultural heritage
- To promote sustainable navigation
- To protect Venice from damaging wave motion
- To reconnect people with the lagoon
Every stroke of the oar is a statement: Venice belongs to water, not engines.
30 Kilometers Through the Soul of the Lagoon
The Vogalonga route is one of the most beautiful itineraries imaginable — not only for rowers, but also for those watching from bridges, fondamenta, and boats.
The official course winds through some of the most iconic and meaningful waterways of Venice:
- The Bacino di San Marco
- The canals of Murano
- The Rio di Cannaregio
- The Grand Canal, from Rialto to Punta della Salute
Rowing this route is like reading Venice chapter by chapter — from imperial grandeur to working-class neighborhoods, from island silence to monumental spectacle.
Many visitors who witness the Vogalonga for the first time later choose to explore these same waters on a private lagoon tour, discovering the geography and stories behind the event.
Explore the Lagoon Beyond the Vogalonga
The Numbers That Tell the Story
Every year, the Vogalonga brings together an extraordinary community.
- 8,000 rowers
- 2,000 rowing boats
- Participants from Venice, Italy, and all over the world
Men and women, adults and children, seasoned athletes and first-time rowers — all united by effort, fatigue, joy, and pride.
The event is open to any rowing boat, with no restrictions on size, weight, or number of rowers. Gondolas, pupparini, mascarete, caorline, dragon boats, historical craft — all move together in a floating manifesto for sustainable Venice.
The Origins of the Vogalonga
A Simple Beginning
The Vogalonga was born quietly, almost humbly.
Its origins date back to November 11, 1974, the day of San Martino, when a friendly rowing challenge between small traditional boats (mascarete) took place. At the time, the roar of motorboats was beginning to dominate Venice’s canals, threatening both the city’s foundations and its rowing traditions.
A small group of Venetians decided it was time to act.
The Visionaries
Lauro Bergamo and Delfo Utimpergher, journalists from Il Gazzettino, together with Toni and Giuseppe Rosa Salva — brothers deeply involved in social work and rowing — imagined an event that would awaken Venice’s conscience.
They were not interested in competition. They wanted participation.
The First Vogalonga
The first official Vogalonga was announced on January 26, 1975.
On May 8, 1975, coinciding with the Feast of the Sensa, boats gathered in the Bacino di San Marco, facing the Doge’s Palace. At the sound of a cannon shot, an unexpected flotilla of 500 boats and 1,500 participants began rowing.
From gondolas to humble working boats, from sporting clubs to individual citizens, Venice rediscovered itself — united by oars.
That day marked the rebirth of an ancient art.
A Movement Is Born
Described by the Italian press as the action of “a small group of Venetians who stopped talking and started rowing,” the Vogalonga quickly became a movement.
Its impact was immediate:
- Renewed interest in traditional boatbuilding
- The creation of over 50 rowing associations in the region
- The construction of large rowing boats with 10, 12, even 18 oars
The lagoon was no longer just scenery — it was once again a living space.
Growth and International Recognition
Over the decades, the Vogalonga has grown steadily, reaching peaks of:
- 2,000 boats
- Over 7,300 rowers (notably in 2023)
Participants now arrive from all over Veneto, Italy, Europe, and the world. Yet despite its size, the Vogalonga has never lost its soul.
There are no rankings. No winners. No losers.
Only those who finish together.
The Knights of the Oar
Among the most beloved figures of the Vogalonga are the so-called “Cavalieri del Remo” — the Knights of the Oar.
They come from every walk of life: lawyers, workers, executives, magistrates, journalists, engineers, fishermen, gondoliers.
Different lives. One passion.
As Franco Tonello wrote:
“What remains is the reference point of the irreducible Knights of the Oar.”
The Vogalonga Committee honors those who have participated in every edition — living symbols of dedication and continuity.
The Route: From San Marco to Punta della Salute
The Vogalonga itinerary is as poetic as it is demanding.
Starting from the Bacino di San Marco, rowers skirt Sant’Elena, pass through the Vignole, Sant’Erasmo, San Francesco del Deserto, and reach the colorful island of Burano.
From there, the route continues past Mazzorbo and San Giacomo in Paludo, enters Murano and its glassmaking heart, then flows into the Rio di Cannaregio.
The final stretch unfolds along the Grand Canal — Venice’s main artery — before reaching the finish line at Punta della Salute, framed by one of the most iconic views in the world.
Why the Vogalonga Matters
In a city struggling with overtourism and environmental pressure, the Vogalonga sends a clear message.
Venice does not need to be faster. She needs to be respected.
The Vogalonga shows that another Venice is possible — one where effort replaces speed, silence replaces noise, and tradition guides the future.
Experiencing the Vogalonga as a Visitor
You don’t need to row to feel the emotion of the Vogalonga.
Watching the procession from a bridge, a fondamenta, or — even better — from the water itself offers a unique perspective.
Many travelers choose to experience the event alongside a private Venice orientation tour, learning about the city’s rowing culture, lagoon geography, and environmental challenges.
Discover Venice’s Rowing Heritage
Why Choose Tour Leader Venice
At Tour Leader Venice, we believe the Vogalonga represents everything Venice should protect.
Our experiences are:
- 100% private
- Led by licensed Venetian professionals
- Rooted in local traditions and history
- Designed for travelers who value meaning over spectacle
Events like the Vogalonga are not shows. They are conversations with the city. We help you understand them.
Plan Your Venice Experience With Us
FAQs
What is the Vogalonga?
The Vogalonga is a non-competitive rowing event covering 30 km through Venice and its lagoon, created to promote traditional rowing and protect the city from motorized traffic.
When does the Vogalonga 2026 take place?
The Vogalonga 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 24.
Can visitors enjoy the Vogalonga without participating?
Absolutely. Watching the Vogalonga from the city or experiencing it from the water with a local guide is one of the most authentic ways to understand Venice.
