gondolas

Gondolas are traditional Venetian boats designed for use in the city’s network of canals and along the Grand Canal. They are long and slender, with a distinctive asymmetrical hull that is flat on the bottom to navigate shallow waters and to balance a single oar. Modern gondolas are typically about 10 to 11 meters long and around 1.6 meters wide, built from layered hardwood planks and finished in dark colors, most famously black.

Propulsion is by a single oar, called a remo, which is held in a specialized carved oarlock known as a forcola on the boat’s right side. The gondolier stands at the stern and uses precise body movement and the oar’s angle to steer and propel the craft. The forcola is highly individualized, often carved to fit the rower’s technique.

Historically, gondolas were the principal means of passenger transport in the lagoon. By the 16th century, Venetian authorities mandated a black paint for gondolas, contributing to their iconic appearance. Today gondolas are mainly used for tourism and ceremonial transport, guided by licensed gondoliers who wear distinctive attire. In addition to the standard gondola, related craft such as the sandolo are used for leisure or private transport, and public ferries called traghetti cross the Grand Canal using gondola-type boats.

Though most gondolas are associated with Venice, similar boats are used in other Italian waterways and in some coastal cities worldwide, often as tourist attractions or cultural symbols. The gondola remains a symbol of Venetian identity and maritime heritage.