Venice: gondolas and gondoliers

blue empty moored gondola

This post is about the gondolas and gondoliers of Venice, these two are obviously linked with each other and traditionally connected to the city of Venice. The gondola is a traditional Venetian rowing, suited to the conditions of rowing in the laguna.

five moored gondolas

For centuries the gondolas were the main means of transportation in the Venetian canals. Nowadays they are mainly used for transporting tourists or in regattas.

oar of a partly covered gondola

Gondolas are (hand)made using 8 different kinds of wood and are composed of 280 pieces. The oars are made of beech wood. 


a queue of gondola traffic

We noticed this year that more and more people from the East are using the gondolas for a ride around town.


gondola in a quite Venetian canal

The profession of gondolier is controlled by a guild, which issues a limited number of 425 licenses. The license is granted after periods of training and apprenticeship, and a major exam which tests knowledge of Venetian history and landmarks, foreign language skills as well as practical skills of handling the gondola in tight spaces of the Venetian canals.

red striped gondolier

crowds on the bridges and on the water

reflecting gondolier

a typical gondola during carnival: to be seen or not to be seen

gondola on the Canal Grande

gondolier on the phone

stern of a Venetian gondola

Every detail of the gondola has its own symbolism. The iron prow-head of the gondola is needed to counter balance the weight of the gondolier at the stern and the 'S' shape symbolizes the twists in the Canal Grande.

moored and riding gondolas in front of the Rialto bridge

 

navy blue striped gondolier

We went on a gondola ride once about four years ago, it is an experience you need to do once in your life I think as the view to the city is quite different from the water than from the sidewalks. When in Venice, do as the Venetians. Well, the Venetians take the vaporetto, the waterbus. It is a lot less romantic and expensive than a gondola.