This gondola is floating beneath Ponte della Paglia. This Straw Bridge name dates back to the 14th century when merchants unloaded straw here. The Venetian watercrafts seem simple but each wooden rowboat takes about 500 hours to build by a master squerarolo. Some unique features include the oarlocks, called fórcolo, that allow the gondolier total steering and power flexibility through narrow canals. The left side is taller than the right to aid balance, and each piece of ornamentation has historic symbolism.
