A holiday in Venice isn’t over until you get in a gondola: this peculiar boat is a symbol of the Venetian lagoon, for its elegance and its presence in the canals.

Gondola’s history is very old: some paintings show it since 1400-1500, but it’s only from 1600-1700 that we can recognize its actual structure.
Its design is unique and studied for use. A gondola has a strongly asymmetric shape, the left side larger than the right side; also the boat itself points to the right, to balance the push given by the only oar which would go to the opposite way. The ferro di prua, an iron comb-shaped tool placed in the front, shows six prongs which represent the six Venetian neighbourhoods (sestieri). At the end we can notice three decorations, called fregi, which symbolize Murano, Burano and Torcello isles. Nowadays gondolas are created in squeri, the name of the typical boatyards – named after the squara, the set square used for the realization. In the past we could admire many boatyards overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice, but now there are only five left placed in different areas of the city. As far as the planning is concerned, people follow the tradition working without the drawn design but basing only on their experience – creating a unique model.

After a rich lunch at Centrale restaurant we recommend you a romantic trip on a gondola. To call and book a table at Centrale: +39 0412379661

 

Pic by Unsplash