La Spezia 'Palio del Golfo'

The La Spezia 'Palio del Golfo', held every year on the first Sunday in August in the waters
in front of the sea promenade in the city of La Spezia, is a rowing competition between 13
'palio-type' boats, hulls similar to the national gozzo but handmade by local craftsmen
with unique features that make them more agile and faster.
The 'Palio del Golfo' has its roots in the maritime culture of the people of the Gulf.

The Palio probably originated from impromptu challenges between crews of work boats laden with fish or
of the ancient 'black gold' of the Gulf of La Spezia: mussels or 'muscoli' as they are better known in
the entire Gulf. Important challenges as victory was not then a sporting victory butncould allow priority unloading at the quay of the catch or the product transported, thus increasing the possibility of earning a profit or allowing one to enjoy a little in advance of a well-deserved rest, and, even today, it is experienced with passion by all citizens and in particular by the
particularly by the inhabitants of the Borgate - modern quarters or renowned villages - that overlook the
sea: Porto Venere, Le Grazie, Fezzano, Cadimare, Marola, CRDD (Circolo ricreativo dipendenti difesa), Canaletto, Fossamastra, Muggiano, San Terenzo, Venere Azzurra, Lerici and Tellaro.