You're gliding silently through the labyrinthine canals of Venice, aboard a sleek, black vessel steeped in centuries of tradition. You're aboard none other than the Venetian gondola, a unique boat synonymous with the city's romantic charm and rich history. A Venice gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed rowing boat that is banana-shaped. These boats have evolved to suit the unique necessity of navigating the narrow canals that crisscross the city. For close to a 1000 years, they have served as the primary mode of transportation in Venice.
Here’s a sneak peek into their design, function and history. Lastly, meet the gondoliers, the exclusive guild of professionals who are entrusted with rowing these dainty boats around Venice.
Though not formally confirmed, it is believed that the gondola's design is rich with meaning. The iron prow has six tooth-like demarcations, rumored to stand for the six districts in Venice. The three friezes, or decorative horizontal lines between the teeth are said to symbolize the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. The prow is also curved to mimic the S-shape of the Grand Canal. This curved top also represents the Doge's cap.
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The Venetian lagoon is a unique waterscape to navigate owing to its unpredictable depths, marshes and canals. The gondola evolved to become a light-weight, flat-bottomed boat to navigate shallow waters and not get stuck in sandbanks. It also necessitated the gondolier to stand at the rear (the stern) of the boat, so that his single oar propels the boat in the same direction he is looking. For the gondolier to get a better view of the water, the stern is slightly raised.
Hence, the Venice canals birthed the gondola in a way; it was essential to construct a boat that could navigate its narrow spaces, shallow patches and turbid waters.
Number of gondoliers in Venice: Approximately 400, with only 2-3 licenses being handed out each year.
Not all gondoliers sing: Contrary to popular belief, not all gondoliers are trained singers. Previously, singing was common to attract customers, but now, gondoliers are more inclined to share their knowledge and history of the city. If you want a singing gondolier, you will have to separately book a serenade ride.
Reputation: in the earlier centuries, gondolas were leased out and drivers often ran into bad reputation, frequently getting into fights, engaging in extortion and even violence! Present day tourists, however, do not have to worry about these concerns.
Fitness: Watch a gondolier at work and you'd be amazed at the bends, dodges and other navigational stunts they have to pull. Balancing a boat standing with seated passengers is no easy feat, yet the gondoliers manage this. Occasionally, you can even see them kick off from the edge of a building to make a turn or duck down when a bridge approaches!
Women gondoliers: To date, there is only one licensed female gondolier, Giorgia Boscolo. As is evident, it's extremely difficult for women to break the mold in a male-dominated profession.
Gondoliers are easy to spot in Venice. They are usually in a striped red or blue t-shirt, black trousers, and a straw hat with a ribbon (usually black or red). This is the official uniform for gondoliers. If they want to make their presence felt when there's canal traffic (since gondolas don't have horns), you can hear their call: a distinctive 'Oye!'.
While the exact meaning is unknown, it is believed that the earliest prototype of the gondola was seen on a Church mosaic in Ravenna in the 6th century, depicting two apostles aboard a crescent-shaped boat called a *cymbula. *It is likely that the present-day term evolved from this.
Gondolas are an engineering marvel as they can navigate through the maze of canals despite being asymmetrical. The steering of a gondola is determined by the gondolier's skill and the movement of the oar against the forcola (or oarlock). The tension exerted by the gondolier on the oar helps to propel the gondola forward, backward, make it stop, etc.
At present, there are roughly 400+ gondolas plying on Venice's canals.
Modern gondolas are open and exposed. Gondolas in the 17th and 18th centuries had a cabin known as the felze, which offered privacy and protection from the vagaries of the weather. But in the 19th century, these coverings were outlawed.
While gondolas are commonly found on Venice's canals, there are also other boats to look out for like the pupparin, the sàndolo, the Caorlina and more. These boats, however, are commonly sighted during boat races like the Regata Storica, one of the most famous boating events in Venice.
A gondola ride can accommodate up to 5 people plus the gondolier. Nowadays, you can even book private rides for you and your loved ones for a more intimate experience — even if this means the gondola hasn't reached maximum capacity.
Although there are disputes between Italy, Malta and Greece about the origins of the gondola, it is synonymous with Venice and first made an appearance in the 11th century. The then Doge (or supreme leader of Venice) Vitale Faliero offered to give gondolas to the elite ruling class of Venice.
Despite the presence of motorboats and vaporetto (public water buses), gondolas have survived due to their cultural significance and association with the Venetian identity. Tourism plays a significant role in their continued existence, as gondolas offer a unique and authentic experience for visitors, keeping the tradition alive.
Originally, gondolas were painted in vibrant colors, with each family displaying their own emblem. Black paint became mandatory in the 16th century to curb excessive displays of wealth and promote social equality among gondoliers. Another interesting fact is that the standing position of gondoliers is not just for show. It allows for better weight distribution and leverage for efficient maneuverability in the narrow canals.
Becoming a gondolier involves training for over 6 months and putting in over 400 hours of effort. The course demands learning foreign languages, being fluent with Venetian history and culture, knowledge of rowing while standing up and swimming among other skills. To answer the question, yes, it takes hard work and dedication to become a gondolier!
The Scuola dei Gondolieri, or the Gondoliers' Guild, is the institution that lays down the procedures for gondoliering. It contains codes and conducts on licensing, the trade and craft, etc.
Usually, sons take after their gondolier fathers and practise this craft in their footsteps. However, becoming a gondolier this way is not mandatory, and many gondoliers join the guild independently.
