The Port of LivornoSome of the most important annual events on the calendar in Livorno have a definite maritime theme, reflecting the city’s tradition as a port and shipyard with its prestigious Naval Academy and its fishing industry. 

This maritime theme begins in April with the sailing regatta known as the Trofeo Accademia Navale e Città di Livorno  (‘Naval Academy and City of Livorno Sailing Trophy’). This sailing competition began in 1981 to celebrate the Naval Academy’s 100th anniversary. The regatta lasts for a week and teams from all over the world take part in the various races. A number of related events also take place in the town, especially in the port area, during that week (see the Livorno Now What’s On calendar for specific dates and events).

About a month later comes the first of no fewer than five important rowing races involving the sixteen districts, or Rioni, that make up the city of Livorno, culminating in the Palio Marinaro  on the second Sunday in July.
 
Coppa di Santa Giulia (22nd May) – the first of the year’s rowing races along the city canals hotly disputed by Livorno’s rowing districts. It celebrates the patron saint of Livorno, Santa Giulia.
 
awaiting the winning boatCoppa Risi’atori (2nd Sunday in June) : another rowing race, this time out to sea, starting at the tower of the Meloria. The finishing line can be seen from the Scali Novi Lena, between the old Medici Port and the Orlando Shipyard. It was originally a race between port dockers who battled for the right to unload the ships docked in Livorno’s port.

Coppa Ilio Barontini (last Saturday in June): named after a local resistance fighter, this chronometred rowing race takes place after dark along the canals of Livorno.
Palio Marinaro (2nd Sunday in July): the most famous of Livorno’s boat races, the Palio takes place in front of the Terrazza Mascagni. There are three races: first the youth teams, then the 4-oared boats, and lastly the 10-oared boats representing Livorno’s historical districts.

The first four teams from the Palio will go forward to compete in the recently revived Palio dell'Antenna, the fifth and final rowing event of the year which dates back to the 19th century. The teams have to race out to a pole placed out at sea, and then climb the pole to retrieve the banner hanging at the top in order to win. The race takes place in August.