Venetian Gondola boat : the most typical boat in Venice

What is a Gondola boat?

The gondola is the most typical of Venetian boats. Dark in color and with a long slender shape, it is 10.85 metres long and 1.44 metres wide. It has a flat bottom to allow navigation even in very shallow waters, such as those of the lagoon.

One of its unusual features is that its bottom is asymmetric in order to balance the weight of the gondolier on the opposite side! Eight different types of wood are used in its construction. Oak, larch, fir, linden, elm, walnut, mahogany, and some cherrywood.

Nowadays, the gondola is still produced in Venice, in the “squero” or craftsman’s workshop which always opens towards the canals of venice. The most famous is the squero of San Trovaso, which is in the style of a “mountain hut” underlining the fact that the artisans have their origins in the mountainous areas of Belluno.

Building a gondola involves at least 12 months of work by different artisans: the “squeraiol”, the famous master carpenters in Venetian language, the “Battiloro”, the goldsmith who is responsible for the gold decorations and the blacksmith who make the gondola iron prow-head by hand! 

Why is a Venetian Gondola black?

Have you ever wondered why the gondola was always built in black?

Well, as a matter of aesthetics, black has always been considered synonymous with elegance, and nobles loved being fashionable! But before elegance entered the lagoon, a private gondola would be decorated in over the top bright colours and patterns. A celebration of kitsch and ostentation!

So in 1609 a decree was issued, which obliged the boat typical of the Venice lagoon, to be painted only in black! This kept things elegant and practical, given that the colour of the pitch used to waterproof it is also black.

The gondola gold decorations – the Battiloro’s art

According to how luxurious the gondola is, it is then decorated with gold. You may be wondering if this is real gold or not, and the answer is: yes, it certainly is real gold! The Battiloro are the artisans who beat gold with a hammer. thinning it down to very thin leaves which are then used to decorate the gondola. The more luxurious the gondola is, the greater amount of golden leaf will be used to decorate it. The most ornated gondolas are the ones used for ceremonies and weddings. 

One of the interesting activities to do in Venice is to visit a Goldsmith’s workshop! Here you will be able to learn the all process as well as many other interesting facts about the work of the Battiloro.

The prow of the gondola: the symbol of Venice!

The front part of the gondola is called the “bow iron”, it is not just ornamental as each element of its design has a hidden meaning!

• The six metal lines correspond to the 6 Sestieri di Venezia
• The rear-facing tooth shape symbolizes the Giudecca island area.
• All the iron has the form of inverted “S”, a reference to the Grand Canal and the well known Rialto bridge.
• The upper part of the iron has the shape of the Doge’s hat
• The most imaginative designs add three leaves: Murano, Burano and Torcello, the most famous islands of the lagoon.

It is now clear how important the iron prow-head of each gondola is, not only from an aesthetic point of view but also for the meaning that it carries with it. The blacksmith follows an old tradition to make each of them with great care and love. It is now possible to visit one of the oldest blacksmith’s workshop, this is a very interesting activity!

What to know before boarding a Venetian gondola?

If the gondolier tells you where to sit, it’s for a reason!

As the boat is asymmetric, we advise you not to move too much and not to change places, unless you want the gondolier to end up in the water!

And if you really want a romantic gondola ride you can go for gondola ride with a singing gondolier and kiss your lover under the Bridge of Sighs!

More information about Gondolas:

• Gondola Forcola – the carved oarlock
• Squero – the place where Gondolas come to life
• Venice Gondolier – who are the men who row the gondolas?
• Gondola ride Venice – tips for the best gondola tour