The typical rowing boat of the Venice lagoon, the gondola is one of the city’s most celebrated icons.

Already in use as far back as the 16th century, until the arrival of motorised vehicles, it was the most commonly used Venetian boat for transporting people via the canals, mainly because of its manoeuvrability and speed.

It takes a year and 280 different pieces of 8 different types of wood to build a gondola in one of the famous “squeri”, boatyards such as the famous “Squero di San Trovaso”.

For first-time visitors to the city, the gondola provides a unique opportunity to experience the timeless and unrepeatable thrill of exploring Venice’s narrow ‘calli’ and the Grand Canal – such are moments of pure magic and enchantment.