Squero Venice Italy: a gondola workshop

reapair workshop gondola venice vivovenetia

Visit a squero in Venice to explore the world of Venetian gondolas. You will discover the uniqueness of a trade that is becoming increasingly rare in Venice itself, but still very present in the imagination of visitors from all over the world.

WHY DID WE LIKE THIS EXPERIENCE SO MUCH?

An authentic experience in the heart of the historic center
Because it allows you to discover all the secrets of the gondola
Because it is excellent to do in a group, in a family or with school groups!

Price

Rates for a 1-hour tour: €324 per group of up to 9 people.
Surcharge for a tour lasting a total of 2 hours: €100 per group of up to 9 people.

For groups with more than 9 participants, please send an email request to info@vivovenetia.com; you will receive a customized quote.

Other practical information

Private experience for individuals or groups. For up to 9 participants, you can book online; for more than 9 participants, please send an email to info@vivovenetia.com to receive a custom quote.
The meeting point with the guide is Campo San Trovaso, in front of the main entrance to the Church of San Trovaso (Sestiere Dorsoduro, 30123 Venice). The guide will be waiting here to accompany you inside the Squero and lead you on the subsequent walking tour.
Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time. Punctuality is essential to ensure the smooth running of the tour. In case of a delay, we cannot guarantee that lost time will be made up or that a refund will be issued.
Inside the squero, the master shipwrights speak exclusively in Italian. If the tour is conducted in a language other than Italian, the dedicated tour guide will provide an immediate translation into the language of your choice, enriching the narrative with historical and technical details about the world of gondolas.
Clothing and Safety. As this is a fully operational shipyard, the interior flooring may be uneven or dusty. We recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes (stiletto heels and flip-flops are prohibited). Do not touch any tools, machinery, or pieces of wood currently being worked on. Since this tour includes both a visit to the squero and a walking tour through the streets and across the bridges, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
You may take photos for personal use inside the squero, provided you respect the artisans’ work and privacy.
This activity is suitable for all ages.

Spoken Languages

Italian
English

Included / Excluded

Included :

a dedicated guided tour in the selected language;
admission and a 30-minute tour inside the Squero;
a 30-minute outdoor explanation of gondola engineering, oars, and oar locks;
a 1-hour guided tour of the Dorsoduro district (only if the 1-hour tour extension has been booked).

Excluded :

gondola ride;
food and beverages;
transfers to and from the meeting point;
anything not expressly specified under “Included.”

Sales Conditions

Weather Conditions

The tour takes place as scheduled even in the event of rain or high water (unless there are exceptional warnings). In case of rain, we recommend bringing an umbrella. The decision regarding whether the tour can proceed rests solely with the guide.

Cancellation Fees

For cancellations made up to 7 days before the date of the tour, 30% of the total amount will be retained.
In the event of cancellation within the last 7 days prior to the date of the tour, or in the event of a NO-SHOW (which means failing to arrive at the specified location and time) no refund will be issued.

Availability

From Monday to Friday

Duration

1 hour or 2 hours

Features

Child Friendly
Private Experience
Sustainable

Booking

Discover the fascinating world of Venice’s Squero, the workshop where gondolas are made and repaired. What goes on inside a squero? Come and find out with us!

Venice’s shipyards date back to the 15th century. Since then, talented artists have worked meticulously to bring each typical Venetian flat-bottomed boat to life.

Each person contributes to the creation of this important symbol of Venice. Different trades are involved, such as the remer, who shapes the metal ornaments, the upholsterer who specializes in parecio (cushions), and the sculptor who creates enchanting decors. The sumptuous gilding has its own story; crafted from gold leaf, it adds a touch of magic to every “Made in Venice” gondola.

Gondola boatyard Venice: Squero di San Trovaso and Squero Tramontin

There were many squeri before, but only five are still working today. The Squero San Trovaso is probably the most famous because it is the only one that can be seen only from outside. When you walk along the Fondamenta Nani, which connects the Gallerie dell’Accademia and Fondamenta delle Zattere, look across the canal to see this unusual building.

On weekdays, you can visit the Squero San Trovaso and witness the traditional craft of gondola making. If you choose to visit on a Sunday, you will be taken to Squero Tramontin, another historic shipyard in the same area, known for its skilled craftsmanship.

Master craftsmen at these squeri have been passing down their secrets for over a century, preserving the intricate techniques and traditional methods of building and repairing gondolas.

How the Guided Tour of the Squero Works

The great added value of this tour is the constant presence of a dedicated tour guide who will provide detailed explanations and cultural insights alongside the information shared by the shipwrights.

Since the shipwrights speak only Italian, if the tour is conducted in a different language, the guide will provide simultaneous translation directly into the language you specified at the time of booking.

1-HOUR GUIDED TOUR

The tour is divided into two main parts:

30 minutes inside the Squero, where you’ll enter the workshop to get a close-up look at the shipyard, the fine woods, the traditional tools, and the artisans at work;
30 minutes dedicated to the gondola, with an in-depth explanation outside the squero to reveal the unique engineering of this vessel (composed of 280 pieces and 8 different types of wood), the asymmetry of the hull, the significance of the bow iron (fero da prora), and the complex craftsmanship involved in making the oars and oarlocks.

Even though gondola building is threatened elsewhere, it’s still important to the lagoon city. This tour will teach you about the history and traditions of Venetian gondolas. Take a close look at how they are made and repaired. See how each piece fits together perfectly to make a unique gondola.

2-HOUR GUIDED TOUR OPTION

The guided tour of the squero lasts a total of 1 hour. If you’d like an even more comprehensive tour, you also have the option to add an extra hour with your guide to explore the Dorsoduro district.

During this extra hour, the guide will lead you on a walking tour to explore the Dorsoduro district—a guided journey through the most authentic alleys, canals, and small squares, where you’ll discover the evolution of the ancient artisan workshops and the history of everyday Venetian life, far from the usual mass-tourist itineraries.

Flexible itinerary: Since this is a private tour, the guide can customize the walking route based on the specific interests expressed by the participants.

Gondola construction: What is the process of building a Venice gondola?

Gondolas are built according to a complex and meticulous process, requiring great expertise and attention to detail at every step. In the traditional boat yard, or “squero,” skilled craftsmen work with precision and care to create these iconic vessels.

Material Selection:

The process begins with the careful selection of wooden planks from eight different varieties. These types of wood, such as oak, larch, and cherry, are chosen for their quality, durability, and suitability for different parts of the gondola. This careful selection ensures that each plank contributes to the overall strength and longevity of the vessel.

Drying the Planks:

Once selected, the planks must dry for at least a year before they are ready to be worked on. This extended drying period is crucial as it ensures the stability of the wood, allowing any residual moisture to evaporate slowly. This minimizes the risk of future warping, splitting, or other deformations that could compromise the gondola’s integrity.

Constructing the Structure:

Under the guidance of the “master of the axe,” or squerarol, the planks are meticulously assembled to form the gondola’s structure. This crucial step involves precise measurements and expert craftsmanship to ensure that each piece fits perfectly. The squerarol’s expertise is vital in creating a boat that is not only strong but also perfectly balanced, which is essential for its performance on the water.

Shaping and Finishing:

Once the basic structure is erected, the intricate process of shaping begins. Skilled artisans carve every detail by hand, from the elegant curves of the hull to the delicate decorative carvings that adorn the gondola. This stage requires a high level of artistry and precision, as each piece is carefully worked on to create a vessel of unparalleled beauty and elegance.

Caulking and Coating:

To ensure the gondola’s watertightness, meticulous caulking is applied to all joints and seams. This involves filling any gaps with a specialized caulking compound that expands and contracts with the wood, ensuring a tight seal. Following this, a waterproof coating is added to the entire structure. This coating not only protects the wood from water and weather but also enhances the gondola’s appearance, giving it a sleek, polished finish.

Final Inspection:

Before being launched, each gondola undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure it meets the highest quality standards. This final step involves checking every detail of the gondola, from the structural integrity to the finish of the decorative elements. Any defects, no matter how small, are carefully corrected to guarantee the perfection of the vessel. The inspection ensures that the gondola is not only visually stunning but also fully functional and safe for use on the water.