8 Curious Facts About Venice’s Gondolas

If you’ve ever dreamed of traversing the waterways of Venice with the one you love, by day or by night, ‘gondola ride in Venice’ should be firmly on your itinerary. Gondolas are undoubtedly one of the things that makes Venice so unique, but how much do you know about these distinctive boats? Here are some of our favourite facts.

1. Gondolas have been used since the 11th century

They may now be used almost exclusively to take romantic tourists on tours of the Venetian waterways, but gondolas are far from a recent invention. Custom-made for the shallow waters of the Venetian lagoon, they were in use as far back as the 11th century – possibly further back than that, but the first documented evidence of them comes from 1094 – and for centuries they were the main way to get around.

2. In their heyday, there were 10,000 gondolas in Venice

Gondolas reached peak popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, and it’s estimated that the city was home to 10,000 gondolas at that time. By contrast, there are just 400 now – though you’ll see so many during your time in Venice that you’d think the number was far higher.

3. They haven’t always been black

It’s hard to imagine now, but gondolas were once much more colourful affairs than they are today. Back in the 16th century, gondola owners tried to outdo each other with their ornately decorated gondolas, until a law was passed requiring all gondolas to be painted a uniform black.

4. They’re made from eight types of wood

Or nine, if you include the beech oar: lime, larch, oak, fir, cherry, walnut, elm and mahogany.

They’re lopsided

Ever noticed that a gondola tilts to one side? That’s deliberate, as it helps balance out the weight of the gondolier.

6. The gondola design is full of meaning

The distinctive iron prow of the gondola doesn’t just serve the practical function of balancing the boat; its ‘S’ shape represents the bends in the Grand Canal, while the six ‘teeth’ represent the districts of Venice. The doge’s cap is represented by the curved top, while the ‘tooth’ sticking out of the back of the prow represents the island of Giudecca.

7. It’s not easy to become a gondolier

Prospective gondoliers must complete 400 hours of training before passing a test to prove their knowledge of how to operate a gondola, Venetian landmarks and history, and language skills. Little wonder that only three or four gondolier licences are issued each year.

8. A Venice gondola ride for couples is the perfect way to explore

If you want to experience this magical city from the romantic perspective of a gondola, a Venice gondola ride for couples is the ultimate Venetian experience. For an even more romantic excursion on the waterways, book a night gondola ride in Venice and enjoy the atmosphere of the city lit up in the dark.