The Squero and Venetian Gondola

The gondola has been part of Venice's history since the Middle Ages, when an easy-to-handle, stable boat was necessary to navigate the narrow canals and busy waterways. Over time it has changed shape many times, but always remained faithful to its function: to glide lightly over the water with a single oar.

Today the gondola is made of seven different types of wood and has a slightly asymmetrical shape that allows it to move straight ahead even with only one oar on the right side. The ferro da prua (bow iron) with its six ‘teeth’ represents the city's six districts, the so called sestieri. 

An elegant boat but above all a concentration of technique and tradition that only Venetian squeri (boat builders) know how to keep alive.

A stone's throw from the Hotel Ala in the heart of the Dorsoduro district you will find the Squero di San Trovaso, one of the most authentic and evocative places in the city. For centuries Venetian gondolas, the elegant and silent symbol of the lagoon, have been built and repaired here.

The Squero is a small shipyard overlooking the water where master carpenters still work today as they did in the past, using seven different types of wood and traditional techniques. Work at the squero is marked by gestures passed down from generation to generation: the choice of wood, natural drying, steam curving, refining with a plane and chisel. It is an art that combines engineering, sensitivity, and respect for water—a knowledge that survives only thanks to a few passionate artisans.

Each gondola is a unique masterpiece, the result of experience, patience, and love for the city. Visiting this place is a glimpse into the unveiled Venice.

The Forcola, the characteristic oar support, is an essential element of the gondola. It is not just a technical tool: it is a true work of wooden art handmade by remèri, artisans specialized in oars and forcole.

No two Forcole are alike. The upper part is used for push, the lower part for accurate maneuvers: a perfect balance between form and function. It is a job that requires an expert eye, a sensitive ear to the sound of wood and a deep respect for the material.

Among the most famous names there is Saverio Pastor, master remèr and guardian of ancient knowledge. In his workshop a short distance from San Trovaso, he shapes each forcola like a unique sculpture, designed to fit perfectly with the gondolier who will use it. The smooth, harmonious curves allow the gondola to be governed with a single oar, with an elegance that has delighted anyone observing Venice from the water for centuries.

Saverio Pastor's forcole are now considered true icons of Venetian craftsmanship: a perfect balance between functionality, art, and tradition.