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What is a Gondola ?
A gondola is probably the most
easily recognized boat in the world. Think of a gondola and to
the mind spring the images of leisurely romantic boat rides on
the Venetian canals. A gondola is a traditional Venetian rowing
boat. For centuries, gondola have been the primary means of
transportation within Venice and still play a role in public
transport operating as ferries over major canals. Venice, an
island in a lagoon, has streets of water for boat traffic rather
than roads for automobile traffic, and is one of the most
fascinating cities in the world for its boats. There are many
kinds of boats in Venice but the most well known is the gondola.
Gondole (the plural of gondola) have been a part of Venice
virtually since its inception. The earliest mention of them is
in a letter written by Doge Vitale Falier in 1094. Not much is
known about these early boats though they must have been used
for the same purpose as now. By the fifteenth century, gondole
grew in popularity and were used to ferry both passengers and
goods through the city canals, and they began to be depicted in
paintings by Carpaccio, Canaletto, Bellini and others.
Gondole were not always black, they were brightly colored and
ostentatious. In 1562, the Doge (chief magistrate) of Venice
passed a decree that only gondole in the service of important
personages could be colored; all others had to be black.From
then on, the simple black gondola began to develop elegance in
shape and form becoming one of the most beautiful objects of
both art and function in the world.
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A gondola is long and narrow, has a
unique metal bow construction called the ferro and a flat bottom
which allows it to float in the water. The ferro protects the
prow from accidental damage, is decorative and acts as a
counterweight for the gondolier standing near the stern. The
gondola is 36 feet 2 inches (11.05 m.) long, 4 feet 10 inches
(1.45 m.) wide, weighs about 900 lbs. (400 kilos.). They are
built using eight different kinds of wood (fir, oak, cherry,
walnut, elm, mahogany, larch and lime) and are made up of 280
pieces. Each gondola is made by hand and it can take months from
start to finish. Every gondola is fitted to one gondolier - the
degree of curvature based on his weight - and is then painted
with at least five coats of enamel. The curved shape of the boat
is achieved by bending boards of seasoned, dry timber which are
wetted and then heated continuously. The main characteristic of
a gondola is its longitudinal asymmetry. Since 1890 gondole have
been built this way so as that one single gondolier - with one
single oar - is required to row the boat from one of its sides
and it will still go straight ! |
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A very unique aspect of the gondola
is the rowing style used to move the boat. The oarsman known as
a Gondolier stands forward facing the bow and, depending on the
type of boat, uses either a single long oar or two crossed oars
to propel the boat forward. The Gondolier pushes the oars
forward unlike other boats where the oars are pulled. This
rowing technique helps the gondola cruise the narrow canals in
Venice and pass other boats, and stop without any visible
effort. The gondola is asymmetrical along its center line; it
has a slight curve to the right. This counterbalances the rowing
technique of the gondolier who pushes the oar towards the left.
The boat travels in a straight path. A gondola for passengers
may have a small open cabin for protection against sun or rain.
The gondola is 36 feet 2 inches (11.05 m.) long, 4 feet 10
inches (1.45 m.) wide, weighs about 900 lbs. (400 kilos.)
Gondole are used extensively for tourism today. In fact, a
highlight of any trip to Venice is the canal ride in a gondola.
Apart from this, there is also the gondola traghetto used to
ferry passengers across the Grand Canal which can carry up to 15
people at a time for a fee and the gondole for racing - the
gondola di regatta and the gondolino.
A 45-minute Gondola ride through the back-canals of Venice will
cost a minimum of 80€ if completed before 8 p.m. Gondola rides
in the evening hours cost more money. A Gondola can take a
maximum of six-passengers.
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Article Contributed By: Jaya Suresh
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