Gondels

Gondels is the Dutch plural form of gondel and refers to two main meanings of gondola in Dutch usage: the traditional Venetian boat used on the canals of Venice, and the passenger cabin of a gondola lift or cable car used in ski resorts and some urban transit systems.

The term gondel derives from the Italian gondola. In Dutch, gondels can thus denote either a boat or a lift cabin, depending on context.

Venetian gondola: A gondola is a long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat with a distinctive curved prow and stern. It is propelled by a gondolier who stands at the stern and uses a single oar held in a specialized oarlock called a forcola. Gondolas are designed to be maneuverable in Venice’s shallow, narrow canals and typically carry two to four passengers on a central bench; multiple passengers may be accommodated on longer variants. The craft is closely associated with Venetian water culture and tourism.

Gondels as lift cabins: In aerial cableways and gondola lifts, the cabin is also called a gondel. These gondels are suspended from a moving cable and can be enclosed or semi-enclosed. They are designed to transport several passengers along routes such as mountain ski lifts or urban cable car lines, providing a protected enclosure and views of the surroundings.

In summary, gondels in Dutch can refer to both the traditional Venetian boat and the cabins of modern cable transport, reflecting two distinct applications of the same term.