Venice needs new gondoliers and for this reason, this week opened a new theory and practice course which is necessary for those who want to start in this particular profession and continue with the fascinating and ancient tradition of the northern Italian city. Once the course has been completed, the license can be requested.
The city council of Venice published the announcement to participate in the “Art of the gondolier”a course that It costs about 1,000 euros and which is intended, according to local media, to give “a generational change to this profession.”
Once a preliminary test has been passed rowing aptitude Performed on the bow of a gondola, aspiring gondoliers will receive theoretical and practical lessons during a total of 40 hours.
Once the title is obtained, they may apply for the license and join the 433 gondoliers currently authorized in Venice.
Registration and procedures
To register you must be a citizen of the European Union, adult; have completed compulsory education; have “requirements of moral suitability“; have a swimming qualification certificate and medical certificate “of healthy and robust constitution.”
Applicants must also present to the municipality a certificate from the occupational doctor obtained after toxicological tests.
It is estimated that all this paperwork has a cost for participants of 216 euros that are paid to the city council and another 50 euros to the Venice Gondoliers Association. And about 800 euros for the course.
During the 40 hours of the course you will learn to use the paddlebut you should also study the navigation code, English and the history of Venice.
Typical postcards of Venice: a gondola and the Rialto Bridge. Photo EFE/EPA/Andrea MerolaHow much does the gondola ride cost?
Recently, the city council carried out a review of rates of gondola rides:
- from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., half an hour costs 90 euros
- from 7:00 p.m., the figure rises to 110 euros for 35 minutes.
For any other service of different duration “the price is calculated proportionally to the time” and in any case they may ship a maximum of five people.
The gondolier’s income depends on many variables, starting with the trips you make in a year, the hours, if you are part of agencies or work on your own, but the figures They can exceed 3,000 euros per monthexplain the media.
How many gondoliers are there and in what year were women allowed to enter the profession?
The Gondolier profession is an integral part of the history of Venice since 1094. These 11 meter boats were initially used by the lower classes, but later became the preferred mode of transportation also for aristocrats, especially after horses were banned in the narrow streets of the city in the 15th century.
In the 16th century there were around 10,000 gondolas in Venice, while Today there are only 433 active gondoliers left..
In the past, the profession was exclusively male and licenses were transmitted from father to son.
However, currently the profession is open to all citizens of the European Union and since 2009when Giorgia Boscolo became the first female gondolier, other 14 women have followed in his footsteps.