Symbolism as an avant-garde is as old as 200-300 years, but it is more than just an artistic movement. Symbolism has always been a part of the art of depiction of a place, time, event, person etc., encompassing the portrayal of the culture. Today places (countries, geographical regions, cities, towns) are most of the times represented by symbols. Cities across the globe are represented by symbols like- Apple (New York City), Eiffel Tower (Paris), Big Ben Tower (London). One such city is the ‘city of water’- Venice, and there are a lot of symbols which depict Venice. One of the symbols which is widely used to depict Venice is the Gondola boats. Just like any other public transportation in a city, Gondola ride is one of the modes of public transportation which runs over the Grand Canal which runs through the heart of Venice. But Gondolas are not only a mode of transportation but has a lot to it. 

Here are 10 amazing things about Gondolas ride you should know:

1. Past

Gondolas are older than what you may think, they are as old as 1000 years. During the 16th century, Gondolas boat ride were the main mode of transportation used in Venice. By the 18th century, there were about ten thousand Gondolas in the city which saw a significant reduction in the coming centuries and today there are about 400 of them.

2. Asymmetrical

It would be a surprise to know that the beautiful leaf-shaped Gondolas boat are asymmetrical. Every Gondola is a little more than 35 feet in length and 4 and a half feet wide. Although the left side of every Gondola boat is 10 inches long, as this asymmetry provides a counterbalance with the weight of the Gondolier.

3. Graduating to a Gondolier

You cannot be a Gondola ride driver if you know how to row a gondola boat. A training of 400 hours is being given to become a Gondola driver, covering every aspect of rowing a boat, making it almost similar to the modern day driving tests. And we want to be a singing Gondolier, there is another arduous exam you need to give. In the city of Gondolas, it is surprising to know that only 3-4 new licenses are given every year.

4. Uniform of the Gondolier

Not only it takes extensive training to become a gondolier but you can’t wear anything that you like to row the boats. The clothing is a Gondolier is strictly regulated with white colored shirts or striped t shirts (red and white or black and white) in summers. In the winters, on the contrary, the Gondoliers have to wear black-colored reefer jackets which save them from the chilly Venice winters.

5. Maintenance

Not only your Mercedeses and Maseratis are high maintenance, these floating beauties too require good maintenance which costs a lot. The hulls of the Gondola boats are to be varnished every month to save them from the pests that eat the wood.

6. Black

This fact reminds of the famous statement made by Henry Ford for the color of Model T- “you can have any color as long as it is black.” The city of Venice has a law that all the Venetian gondolas should be black in color, and this law goes back to the 16th century.

7. Weight

Do not under estimate anything of these beautiful boats, especially the weight. With a length of 35 feet, these Gondolas weigh about 700 Kgs which is more than the weight of an average horse.

8. Ferro

The hood ornament on the prow of the boat is called the Ferro. You may although think that it is a decorative item unless you observe that every Gondola has it, making a ferro more than a decorative article. The 6 prongs on the ferro signify the number of 6 districts of Venice. One prong runs backward and it represents the Giudecca island.

9. Gondoliera

It took hundreds of years for the beauty to row these floating beauties. It is very recent in 2010 that licenses to females were given to row the Gondolas. The first Gondoliera was Giorgio Boscolo.

10. What is it made of

The size of a Gondola as compared to other biggers boats may lead you to think that it is easy to make. But you are completely wrong. Making a Gondola is a painstaking process which takes about 280 components with 8 different kinds of wood- cherry, walnut, mahogany, oak, larch, fir, lime and elm.

In case you board a Gondola boat ride next time, do check out all these amazing things it has.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are gondolas still used as public transportation in Venice?

Today, gondolas are no longer a primary mode of public transportation. They are mainly used for tourist rides and ceremonial occasions, while locals rely on vaporettos and water taxis.

2. Why are all Venetian gondolas black in color?

Venetian law requires gondolas to be black, a rule dating back to the 16th century. The regulation was introduced to reduce excessive decoration and maintain uniformity among boats.

3. How long does it take to become a gondolier?

Becoming a gondolier requires around 400 hours of professional training, including navigation, rowing techniques, and local knowledge. Only a few new licenses are issued each year.

4. Are gondolas really asymmetrical?

Yes, gondolas are intentionally asymmetrical. One side is slightly longer to balance the weight of the gondolier, who rows from one side of the boat.

5. What is the metal piece on the front of a gondola called?

The metal ornament on the front is called the Ferro. Its six forward-facing prongs represent Venice’s six historic districts, while the backward-facing prong symbolizes Giudecca Island.

6. How much does a gondola weigh?

A traditional Venetian gondola weighs approximately 700 kilograms, despite its elegant and slender appearance.

7. Can women become gondoliers in Venice?

Yes. Women have been allowed to become gondoliers since 2010, marking a significant milestone in Venice’s gondola tradition