Discovering the Venetian gondola

A gondola tour in Venice is one of the activities that thousands of tourists indulge in every year, a ritual that has its roots in the history of this city

The gondola is just a nice tour, sang Guccini. However, we should say that it is also a nice carousel ride, because the gondola in Venice is much more than an attraction for tourists. In fact, the gondola is a real icon, known all over the world. The success of this boat is primarily due to its diffusion: until the advent of the engine, it was the main means of transport used by Venetian families to move between the canals. In short, a sort of city car that can boast evidence dating back as early as 1094.

What were the first gondolas in Venice like?

Probably very similar to those we still know today except for some details such as the tint. At the beginning they were sumptuous, colorful, decorated with silk and gold so as to become a real status symbol for the wealthier classes. Then, after the seventeenth-century plague, a decree from the Doge imposed the black color which has been maintained ever since.

The gondolas of Venice are also made unique by some technical peculiarities: the flat bottom that allows you to navigate at low tide and, above all, the slight asymmetry known as a quarter moon. This means that the hull has one side 24 centimeters wider than the other to balance the Venetian-style rowing that is performed by a single man, the gondolier, on one side of the boat. A real economy flourishes around the gondola: the boat is built in the squeri by skilled craftsmen who hand down the secrets of the trade from father to son while the oar and forcola to support it were made by the remer. Then there is another element that characterizes the gondola: the iron prow. Although having a balancing technical function, it has become a distinctive decorative element thanks to its six teeth which are said to represent the sestieri into which the city is divided.

Gondolas and Venice would not be the same without the drivers, those gondoliers immortalized in thousands of photos. A profession coveted and protected by the municipal authorities, even today it is subject to strict regulation. There are only 425 licenses to which are added 167 substitute boatmen. To become a gondolier you must pass a competition where, in addition to demonstrating that you know how to row, you must demonstrate your knowledge of the history and art of Venice and of languages. This is followed by an apprenticeship with another gondolier and a second exam. Once a profession reserved for men, since 2010 it can also be practiced by women. The first female gondolier was called Giorgia Boscolo: she deserves the credit for having broken a taboo that had lasted for about nine centuries.

At this point, all you have to do is book your gondola ride. In fact, to ensure that you have a tour according to your wishes, the ideal solution is to book online in advance one of the many proposed formulas which essentially range from tours with other participants and private boat. Alternatively, it is possible to go to one of the official stations where it is possible to take the gondola in Venice: San Marco, Rialto, Ferrovia, Piazzale Roma, the best known (but also the most crowded).

Finally the question of the questions: how much does a gondola ride cost? It depends: if the tour is shared, even just 25/30 euros per person. If, on the other hand, the dream to come true is a private ride for about 30 minutes, we start from 90/100 euros which can also be much more in the nightly rate. However, the thrill of visiting Venice on a gondola at night will certainly be priceless.

Are you looking for a typical Venetian property? Find inspiration among the most exclusive proposals of Engel & Völkers Venezia.