On the first Sunday of September takes place the Historical Regatta (“Regata Storica”), a competition between Venetian boats watched by thousands of people from the banks or from floating stands. Competitions are preceded by a historical procession (“Corteo Storico”) remembering the entrance of the Queen of CyprusCatherine Cornaro after abdication in 1489: gondoliers in costumes sail in typical 16th century boats following the Bucentaur, doge’s state galley.