It is one of the questions I hear most often from people taking a gondola ride for the first time. Seeing the gondolier always rowing on the same side, many assume it is simply a tradition. In reality, there is a very precise technical explanation.

The modern gondola is not perfectly symmetrical. Its hull is built with a slight asymmetry designed to compensate for the force generated when the gondolier rows on the right side of the boat. This allows the gondola to maintain a steady course without constantly changing sides, as happens with many other boats.

The oar and the forcola, the distinctive wooden oarlock, also play a fundamental role. The unique shape of the forcola allows the gondolier to perform different movements with a single oar: moving forward, slowing down, stopping, and even turning the gondola with remarkable precision, an essential skill for navigating Venice's narrow canals.

If you would like to discover how a gondola is built and why every part has a specific purpose, visit the Gondola Galleryin Campo San Gallo. Here you can explore the different sections of a real gondola, learn about its construction, and enjoy a virtual reality experience that tells the story of the gondola's evolution through the centuries, from its origins to the present day.