The gondola is one of Veniceâs most recognisable symbols â just as iconic as the cityâs winding canals. However, this unique vessel hasnât always looked the way it does today. Itâs changed over time, evolving alongside Venice itself, shaped by history and tradition.
These boats arenât just pretty, theyâre built using time-honoured techniques, each detail carrying symbolic meaning. The comb-like teeth of the iron prow â known as rebbi â represent the six sestieri, or districts, of Venice. Itâs not just decorative either â the iron helps balance the gondolierâs weight and its flowing âSâ shape mirrors the curves of the Grand Canal.
If you really want to get into the Venetian spirit, a gondola tour is a dreamy way to soak up the cityâs sights. Youâll float past elegant old buildings, slide under bridges and feel the atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind place built on water.
