Gondoliers Dressed For Cold Weather Wait For Passengers On A Bridge Over A Venetian Canal Editorial Photo

The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is similar to a Kayak. It is propelled by a gondolier, who uses a rowing oar, which is not fastened to the hull, in a sculling manner and also acts as the rudder.For centuries, the gondola was a major means of transportation and the most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times, the boats still do have a role in public transport in the city, serving as traghetti small ferries over the Grand Canal operated by two oarsmen.