VENICE! GONDOLAS

The GONDOLA

The gondola is the symbol of Venice. Romantic and charming, it provides a very special view of the city. The gondola is a "unique" and fascinating boat. There are just over hundred gondola in active service today, all of them used for hire by tourists. Up to six people can share a gondola.  It is also one of the vessels typically used in both ceremonial and competitive regattas, rowing races held amongst gondoliers using the technique of Voga alla Veneta.

Modern gondola was developed only in the 19th century by the boat-builder Tramontin. Its unique, asymmetrical design allows just one oarsman to navigate the narrow Venetian waterways using a single oar. Today, gondola are remarkably uniform. Gondolas are hand made, they weigh 1,500lbs (700kg), have 280 components and use eight types of wood-lime, larch, oak, fir, cherry, walnut for cola, or rowlock, each carved to suit individual gondoliers and designed to allow eight distinct maneuvers.

All are exactly 10.87 m long (35ft 6ins) and 1.42m wide (4ft 6ins), and all have one side 24cm (10ins) longer than the other. The left side of the gondola is made longer than the right side.

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

The official rate (from 8am to 7pm) is 80 euro for 40 mins, add 40 euro for extra 20 mins. From 7pm to 8am rate is 100 euro for 40 mins, add 50 euro for extra 20 mins. 


Depending on demand, gondoliers may regard the official rates as a polite fictions. Special services, such as singing, can boost the fare even more. 


Its better to agree in advance with gondolieri about the rate, duration and additional services. There is a tale about singing gondoliers which are singing opera areas during the tour, but it is not true. When I asked gondolier to sing, he answered: "Singing is only in movies".

Here are some portraits of gondoliers: