Who are the gondoliers in Venice?

During your trip to Venice, you'll have the opportunity to cross paths with many gondoliers.

They are in charge of tourist transport in the city.

Each driving a gondola, they offer tourists a new perspective on the city's greatest monuments.

Today, I'd like to tell you more about the gondolier profession.

Gondoliers in Venice: who are they?

The gondolier is an integral part of Venetian culture.

You'll see them everywhere in Venice. In summer, they're dressed straw hat with red ribbon and striped vest. In winter, if they don't wear very colorful clothes like most other Italians, they cover themselves with a very recognizable coat.

The first mention of an Italian gondola dates back to Venice in 1094, and of course there have been gondoliers for as long as there have been gondolas. So it's one of the city's oldest professions.

Can anyone be a gondolier?

Driving a gondola has always been a special profession. The gondolier's license used to be handed down from father to son, or if there were no sons, to another male member of the family.

Nowadays, it's even more difficult. All gondoliers must belong to the Gondoliers' Guild, which is strictly controlled.

He must find an experienced gondola driver to act as mentor, attend four hundred hours of instruction and later pass a rigorous exam that tests not only physical stamina, but navigational skills, knowledge of other languages and, above all, knowledge of Venice's culture and sights are also essential for this profession.

Gondoliers in Venice: changing customs

Until 2010, there had never been a single gondolier in Venice.

The license had always been passed down to the male members of the family, and the physical strength required was considered too much for a woman. However, Giorgia Boscolo changed all that.

Indeed, she is the only woman to have undergone the rigorous training and received her license despite the reservations of the Gondoliers' Guild and her family.

In Venice, however, traditions die hard. For example, Giorgia is only allowed to drive gondolas to replace another male gondolier.

Is an Italian gondola easy to steer?

It's a flat-bottomed boat, which makes it very stable, but it's also made of wood, which makes it extremely heavy. It is propelled and steered with a single oar, and this requires a high level of skill.

Many of Venice's canals are very narrow, and the Grand Canal is an exceptionally busy waterway. Steering this small boat is an incredibly physically demanding exercise, especially if you want to offer your customers a smooth ride. So it's no easy task to drive a gondola in Venice.

How much do gondoliers earn in Venice?

It's one of the most popular and sought-after professions in Italy. Training can be rigorous, but it's well worth it. Indeed, a Venetian gondolier can expect to earn around €150,000 a year.

Extremely difficult training

Four hundred hours of training, mentoring, exams and the assurance of a fat salary. These are the requirements for becoming a gondolier in Venice.

What's more, the gondola itself is worth a lot of money. So you can be sure that every gondolier, after his or her training period, will take very good care of his or her customers.

If you're planning a trip to Venice, don't hesitate to book a gondola ride before you leave. You'll be able to see the gondolier in action and enjoy a moment on the water.

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