Temporary exhibitions

Current exhibition: Ca’ Foscari and Water Sports

Ca’ Foscari has always been a home for sport, with a particular interest in Venetian rowing, rowing and regattas.
Our journey begins with maritime law, represented by Loccenius’s 1650 work, followed by Girolamo Alberti’s eighteenth-century practical treatise on navigation.
We then move closer to the history of the University Institute: in the 1930s, Ca’ Foscari students took part in the Littoriali dello Sport, competing in rowing and sailing events.
Finally, we reach the present day. From 2005 onwards, Rector Pier Francesco Ghetti inaugurated and supported a highly successful period for rowing sports, marked by numerous national and international competitions.

Showcase 1 - The History of Navigation

Johan Loccenius

A work by the Swedish jurist Johannes Loccenius – the Latinised name of Johan Locken – first published in Stockholm in 1650. Divided into three books, it is an important seventeenth-century treatise on maritime law, territorial waters and piracy.
Johannis Loccenii JC. De iure maritimo & navali libri tres – 1650

Girolamo Alberti

In this treatise, Girolamo Alberti examines every aspect of navigation and nautical science, from astrology and the scientific instruments used to plot courses to winds and the interpretation of maps and charts. It is a practical treatise intended for Venetian commanders and sailors.
Girolamo Alberti, Introduzione all’arte nautica per uso de piloti, e capitani di nave, e per il migliore servizio de commandanti sopra il mare [Introduction to the Art of Navigation for the Use of Pilots and Ship Captains, and for the Better Service of Commanders at Sea] 
Alberti, Girolamo, Early printed book, Girolamo Albrizzi, 1715

The Littoriali dello Sport

The Littoriali were annual national competitions established in Italy by the Fascist regime and organised by the Fascist University Groups (GUF). University students could compete for the title of Littore. Competitors in the various disciplines were selected through preliminary provincial contests known as Agonali. Over the years, the event developed into three main categories: the Littoriali dello Sport, the Littoriali della Cultura e dell’Arte and the Littoriali del Lavoro – devoted respectively to sport, culture and the arts, and work.
The Littoriali dello Sport were the first to be organised. The inaugural competition was held in Bologna from 1 to 8 May 1932 to mark the tenth anniversary of the March on Rome. More than 2,300 students from universities across Italy competed in a range of sports. From 1933 onwards, the event adopted a regular format.
Subsequent editions of the Littoriali were hosted in turn by various Italian cities. They became one of the Fascist regime’s principal instruments for disseminating propaganda among young people.
Il Ventuno, Rivista dei Littoriali, no. 36, May 1936
Littoriali dello sport: fascicolo speciale della rivista dei littoriali Il Ventuno [The Littoriali dello Sport: Special Issue of the Littoriali Magazine Il Ventuno], published on behalf of the Central Secretariat of the Fascist University Groups, Venice: Edizioni Il Ventuno, 1937

Wooden Boxes Series

• File 28/2, sub-file 1, documents 12–19 – List of women participating in the Littoriali dello Sport. (Undated)
  This undated document, preserved in file 28/2 of the Wooden Boxes Series, lists the women enrolled at Ca’ Foscari who took part in the Littoriali dello Sport.
• File 28/2, sub-file 1, document 1 – 20 October 1939 – Exemption from classes
  In this circular dated 20 October 1939, preserved in file 28/2 of the Wooden Boxes Series, Giuseppe Bottai, Minister of National Education, stipulated that students’ participation in the Littoriali devoted to culture, the arts and sport should be formally recognised in their university records and that their resulting absence from classes and practical sessions should be authorised. He also stipulated that, at the end of a student’s university career, consideration should be given not only to the results of their examinations, including the final degree examination, but also to their participation in and ranking in the Littoriali competitions.
• File 28/2, sub-file 2, document 8 – Preliminary naval courses
  This document, dated 20 February 1940, bears the signature of the University’s Rector, Carlo Alberto Dell’Agnola. The Rector draws attention to the moral value and practical benefits of the preliminary naval courses, through which students could fulfil their military service obligations and, after completing their studies, become officers in the Royal Italian Navy.

Showcase 2 - Water Sports Today

Medals

This collection of medals from 2013 to 2021 reflects years of dedication, discipline, and passion for rowing, showcasing a sporting journey marked by success at both national and international levels.
The honours include Italian Championship titles and medals won at European and World Championships, as well as at prestigious international dragon boat competitions in China. These achievements reflect Ca’ Foscari University of Venice’s constant pursuit of excellence.

Ca’ Foscari Takes Centre Stage on the Grand Canal and in China

In November 2005, the Ca’ Foscari crew defeated the IUAV team in the Palio Remiero rowing competition on Venice’s Grand Canal. The team also won the International University Students Dragon Boat competition twice in Tianjin, China.
Cafoscari, Year IX, no. 2, November 2005: University Review of Culture – "Ca’ Foscari protagonista in Canal Grande e in Cina" (Ca’ Foscari Takes Centre Stage on the Grand Canal and in China), by Laura Bergamin

Universities Take to the Water at the Regatta of the Maritime Republics

The first edition of Università in voga took place on 12 June 2011. On this occasion, Ca’ Foscari and IUAV rowed together under the sporting direction of Sergio Barichello as part of the Regatta of the Maritime Republics.
Cafoscari 03, 2011: University Review of Culture – "Università in voga al Palio delle Repubbliche Marinare" (Universities Take to the Water at the Regatta of the Maritime Republics)

Trophies

This trophy commemorates the Champion title won by the Ca’ Foscari crew at the international dragon boat regatta on Jinji Lake in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, in 2013.
The event, called Shared Joy in Jiangsu, marked a significant milestone in the history of Venetian universities’ sports expeditions to Asia, further solidifying the dragon boat team’s international winning legacy.
The second trophy commemorates the International Dragon Boat Regatta for World Prestigious Universities, held in Dali, China, in June 2018. Presented by the People’s Government of Dali County, it honours participation in an event celebrating the dragon boat tradition and cultural exchange among internationally renowned universities.

Historical Re-enactment on the Grand Canal

Historical re-enactment of Venice’s Regata Storica: traditional boats parade along the Grand Canal, celebrating Venice’s maritime heritage and the centuries-old traditions of the Serenissima.
Private collection