Charming Gondola
Get on a gondola and cross the marvelous Grand Canal: admire Venice and its fascinating palaces
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What do you know about gondolas?
The gondola is painted black by law
Since a 16th-century sumptuary law, all gondolas must be painted black to prevent wealthy families from competing with one another in lavish decoration. This regulation is still in force today!
Each gondola is custom-made to the gondolier
The construction is tailored to the gondolier’s height, weight, and rowing style, helping to maintain the delicate balance and control of the boat on the water.
They’re surprisingly long — and flat
A gondola measures about 11 meters (36 feet) in length and is extremely flat-bottomed, making it ideal for navigating the shallow and narrow Venetian canals.
