Pitti Palace
Beneath her, she noticed a four-man crew shell skimming across the water and passing under the bridge. The hull read SOCIETÀ CANOTTIERI FIRENZE / FLORENCE ROWING CLUB. The shell’s distinctive red-and-white oars rose and fell in perfect unison.
(Dan Brown, Inferno)
The bridge that Dan Brown refers to is the Ponte Vecchio, and the club is one of the glories of the Florentine sport.
The Società Canottieri Firenze is a rowing club that was founded in 1886.
This amateur sport association is dear to the Florentines and competes with other rowing associations in the city. On May 12, 1887, the city celebrated the inauguration of the facade of Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. Among the many city events was a rowing race on the Arno River.
The Società Canottieri, as it is currently named―without the word Firenze―was established in 1911.
At that time, young canottieri had already participated in major competitions on a national level and had been training in the small storage area under Ponte Vecchio.
The association takes the heraldic colors of the City of Florence, which also characterize the shirts: white with three alternating red bands. The current headquarters were established in 1933.
Since 1981, the Florentines have held an annual special race on June 24, the feast day of Florence’s patron saint, St. John. This event joins the famous “fòchi” (fireworks) of the Festa di San Giovanni.
Today, the Società Canottieri comprises about 700 members, some of which can be seen every day training on the Arno.
Rowers of this club compete with other rowers from Florence and from around the world and often win!
For the Florentines, this association is like a family member.
For those visiting Florence, the company’s registered office is a unique place: it is located just below the Uffizi Gallery, along the Arno River.
Visitors can dip their feet in the Arno and gaze upward to admire the Ponte Vecchio and Vasari Corridor above.
This is a magical place that can be reached simply by passing along a ramp starting at the embankment near the Uffizi Palace!
We do not even want to think about the beauty of the dinners that members of the clubs sometimes organize in this place.
The Società Canottieri place is another little stunning surprise to be found in the beautiful City of Florence.
Picture by annavsculture and Jill Duran
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I am a 55yo Australian Rower from Sydney and I would like to row with someone from your club in September at your boatshed. I plan to be in Florence on the 19th and 20th. I have insurance and I compete at masters regattas. ( 3.58 for 1000mters at masters games in Torino 2013) Please let me know if you can help me.
Thankyou, Howard Goodall
Hello, I currently row for and study in Syracuse University. I will be studying abroad in Florence this Fall (2014) from September until December and am interested in joining the Florence Rowing Club. Please let me know whom I should contact for more information. Thank you!
-Frank
Hi Frank, I think that you can write to them at segreteria@canottierifirenze.com or call at +39 055 238 1010. Let us know if you reach them!
I wanted to add to the comment above for Frank…
I studied abroad in the fall of ’99 as well through Colby College’s partnership with Syracuse University and joined Canottiere Firenze while there. I just walked in, told them I wanted to row, paid the membership and boom- they had me in the tank with the boys and out on the water in boats and even coxing the Men’s Masters 4+. They were very welcoming! Go for it! It’s an incredible experience!
Hello,
I am a Master’s competitive sweep and scull rower in Chicago IL, USA. I will be in Florence 8/30 – 9/2 and wonder if it’s possible to row with your club once while I am there? It would be such a special part of my trip to Italy. Please let me know fi this is something you might consider. I would love to join in a sweep practice or take a sculling lesson.
Amy Starin
Chicago Rowing Foundation