San Trovaso's Squero Venice

Gondolas have been swarming through Venice’s canals since the late 11th century. Over the years, they changed their style and purpose but always occupied a pivotal position Venice’s transportation system.

In modern times, gondolas are perhaps the most iconic symbol of Venice: everybody knows what a gondola is. Many see it as the floating representation of their romantic journey. Others see it as a portal to the past, and by stepping on one, it is like being teleported to those years in which only the nobles could afford this distinctive privilege.

But does anyone know how a gondola is built? To learn about it, one should visit one of the few squeros left in town. A squero is literally the artisan workshop of gondolas, as well as many other types of boats. Being the most iconic and expensive boat of them all, building a gondola takes hundreds of hours of work, and the price can easily exceed 40.000 euros.

Every gondola is different, all built in accordance with the requirements of their owner. And the squeros, the places that make them come to life, are wonderful to visit. There are only five left in town, and the easiest to reach is the one in San Trovaso, close to the boat stop Zattere.