Marriage of the Sea, Venice
The last few days of May are a time of immense pleasure in Venice, known as the Marriage of the Sea, when the city celebrates its nautical prowess with a massive parade of rowboats from St Mark's to the Port of St Nicol. Thousands of people line the streets to watch the spectacle unfold and to participate in the races, which include small groups competing in stream sprints. The Festa Della Sensa concludes with the congregation of St Nicol, and a market is conducted in the neighboring plaza.
The doge of Venice would regularly board a boat to refresh the city's pledges with its immortal buddy. It's a vainglorious service that has captured the creative powers of artists since the custom began about 1000 A.D., and the 2019 event will take place the final weekend of May.
