Venice Guide and Boat

Venice Craft Heritage tour to see Venice gondola dockyard
Gondola dockyard in Venice
Visit a Forcola workshop with Venice Craft Heritage tour
With Venice Craft Heritage tour you will see how Forcolas and oars are made
An old gondola from the 17th century with the Felze
Learnd about the gondola ferro with Venice Craft Heritage tour

Venice Craft Heritage

From 500,00 €

Venice Craft Heritage tour offers the opportunity to discover the history of the most  typical Venetian boat: the gondola. Strolling around the off-the-beaten-paths you will visit  one of the few dockyards where gondolas are still created in the present day. The tour will continue to the workshop where oars and the forcola are made.

First available date: 31 08 2026
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Description

Venice Craft Heritage to learn where local traditions come from.

The private guided tour Venice Craft Heritage offers the opportunity to appreciate the skills and traditions of local dockyards. You will discover the world of the most typical vessel in Venice: the GONDOLA.

For centuries the gondola was the chief mean of transportation. The rich  families had several gondolas tied-up by the water door of their houses, as  paintings by Canaletto show. Today in Venice only few Squeri (or dockyards)  produce gondolas, though they are quite important for Venetian economy. Venice Craft Heritage tour includes the experience of a private exclusive visit to the oldest dockyard in activity.

A gondola, however, is not just a boat, it’s a “system” combining many different elements. These are the oar, the forcola, the ferro, the carved gilded decorations, and more. Therefore it requires the contributions of many different craftsmen, each one with his own specialization.

Gondolas owe their exclusive shape and features to a scrupulous and elaborate building process, based on the same techniques used since the early days. They are made with eight different kind of wood.

After  the gondola dockyard, we will take you to the workshop of a carpenter specialized in making oars and forcole. These two elements are essential to provide the dynamic balance of the gondola.

At the end of the tour, with all the experience you had, you’ll be ready to cross the Grand Canal on a gondola ferry!

DURATION: 2 hours

THE PRICE OF VENICE CRAFT HERITAGE  TOUR INCLUDES:

  • the service of a certified tour guide for 2 hours
  • the admissions to the craft workshops
  • the gondola ferry fee

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