One of the many historical re-enactments held throughout the Veneto region, this is one of the most eye-catching. Evoking a celebration of an important event in the Venetian Republics history when it achieved trade supremacy in the East, the Palio della Marciliana, which takes place every year at Chioggia on the third weekend in June, commemorates the famous war which lasted from 1379 to 1381. Thanks to the sacrifice of her faithful allies Chioggia (Clugia Minor present day Sottomarina - suffered enormous damage, and was eventually razed to the ground the Republic conquered once and for all her arch rivals Genoa, recovering numerous disputed areas and becoming unchallenged queen of the eastern seas. The Palio evokes that era with period costumes and medieval markets, arts and crafts, archery contests, flag bearing displays, as well as the three regattas with masked boats and medieval music and jesting, transporting the life of the centre back to the splendours of its past.
