The gondola is a traditional flat- bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is similar to a canoe, except that it is narrower. It is propelled by a gondolier, who uses a rowing paddle, which is not attached to the hull, in a sculling manner and acts as the rudder.
For centuries, the gondola was the main means of transport and the most common boats in Venice. In modern times, the iconic ships still have a role in public transportation in the city, serving as small traghetti (ferries) on the Grand Canal operated by two rowers. For some years there were seven traghetti, but by 2017, the number had dropped to three.
The gondola is propelled by a person (the gondolier) who is standing in front of the arch and rows with a forward stroke, followed by a clearing recoil. The oar rests on an elaborate wooden relief (forcola) shaped projecting from the side of the ship to allow the slight resistance of each return stroke to pull the bow back to its forward course. Due to the flat bottom of the boat, it can also be “shifted” sideways when required. Contrary to popular belief, until the beginning of the 20th century, as many photographs attest, gondolas were often equipped with a "felze", a small cabin, to protect passengers from the weather.or spectators. Its windows could be closed with roller shutters, the original "Venetian blinds."
Various types of gondola boats are also used in special regattas (rowing races) held between gondoliers. However, its main role today is to take tourists on tours at fixed prices. There are roughly 400 licensed gondoliers in Venice and a similar number of ships, down from the thousands that traveled the canals centuries ago, yet they are now elegant handicrafts rather than the various types of old homemade craft from a distant past.
