The scene illustrates the atmosphere that filled the San Marco dock on Ascension Day, at the celebrations of Venice's victory over Dalmatian pirates in 998. In memory of the event, the Republic dressed in all its finery to celebrate its 'Marriage of the Adriatic'. To symbolise the bond, the Doge boarded his official boat, the 'Bucintoro', and sailed out of the lagoon into the open sea, where he threw a ring into the water. As a host of people and boats welcome the returning galley on the quay, we can see a view of the city, with the Palazzo Ducale, the 'campanile', the Libreria Marciana, as far as the Punta della Dogana and the church of Santa Maria de la Salute.