Regatta of St Ranieri, Pisa-Italy on June 17, 2009

Regatta of St Ranieri, Pisa-Italy on June 17, 2009
Posted in Festivals in June on 13. Jun, 2009
The Regatta of St Ranieri at the Palazzo Medici, Pisa, Italy is celebrated every year on June 17 in memory of the saint of Pisa. The regatta is a 1,500 meter race up the Amo River comprised of four slender rowing boats manned by eight oarsmen, one steersman and a climber. The rowboats are painted in assorted colors to symbolize Pisa’s four districts. The colors correspond to the four districts in this way: the southern part of the city, which is Saint Martin, is represented by white and red; Saint Anthony is represented by white and green; the northern part, Saint Mary is embodied by white and blue; and Saint Francis is signified by white and yellow. The climber in each rowboat is an expert at scrambling up a 10 meter long rope to clutch the flag of victory, commonly known as Palio, which is located at the finish line.
The winners of the Regatta receive gifts in the shapes of animals like oxen, a roosters, sheep or pigs. The Eve of June 16 is celebrated as a feast day of the Saint Ranieri. On the very day, the buildings alongside Amo River are illuminated with approximately 75,000 small glass candle holders in such a manner that they give the look of a fairyland. In addition to this, thousands of illuminated candles in these holders are floated on the River Amo giving an awe-inspiring look.