Palio dell'Antenna

Held since medieval times, Livorno's Palio dell'Antenna sees four rowing boats battling it out on a 600m stretch of water. Contestants then climb a 10m-high pole rising from the sea to grab an amaranth drape.

To qualify for the Palio dell'Antenna, the vessels, which represent Livorno's quarters, compete against each other in a pre-palio race called Palio della Terrazza Ma scagni. The first four boats must then row clockwise within a designated area of the sea before heading for the pole.

At the end of the race the winning team swaps the drape for the actual palio, handed out by the mayor in a ceremony that is accompanied by a historic costume parade.

(source: www.whatsonwhen.com)