The Most (Lost) Famous Boat

Everyone knows what the "Gondola" is: the typical Venetian boat famous all over the world. Locals, or those who know a little about the history of Venice, know that "Gondolas" are built by highly specialized wood craftsmen in what is called "Squero", ancient gondola shop. Very few people know that in all of Venice there are only 2 "squeri" today that continue to build gondolas and keep this centuries-old art alive. The devastating "high water" of November 2019 had already put the Venetian economy in knee. Economy based on tourism further annihilated by Covid19 in 2020. And without tourism, gondolas are no longer needed, craft masks are no longer sold, restaurants close. The economic crisis is not only putting the Venetian people to the test, it risks destroying the historic cultural and artisan heritage that Venice holds. © Stefano Scapin. All rights reserved.