Gondola, Its Meaning, Origin and History
Ruby is a freelance writer from the Philippines. She has travelled to at least eight Asian countries including Macao, Singapore, and others.
The gondolier heartily sings as he rows the Gondola at The Venetian Macao.
What is a Gondola?
A gondola is a narrow barge or light flat-bottomed boat used on the canals of Venice. It has a high point at each end and is worked by one oar at the stern. The word gondola is a Rhaeto-Romance gondolà meaning to rock, or roll.
Gondola History
The gondola has its origin back in Venice, Italy. Venice is a city of North East, Italy on islets within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice, an inlet of the North Adriatic. The “streets” of Venice are waterways, which makes boats the official option of transport.
The gondola is the most popular of Venice's various sailboats. It is a one thousand-year-old rowing boat that has developed into an elegant, beautiful style that you see today.
The gondola has been in Venice since the 11th century, with an estimated eight to ten thousand gondolas during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, today, there are barely almost four hundred gondolas being used to serve tourists.
When it comes to design, the gondola is different from other Venetian boats for some reasons. First, the gondola was designed with the Venetian Canals in mind. Second, its one-of-a-kind, lopsided design enables a single oarsman to traverse the small Venetian waterways with a one oar. Third, the gondola's body is basically 60% submerged in water.
The Gondolier
The gondola is driven by a gondolier. A gondolier is a person who steers and propels a Venetian gondola. While rowing the boat, a gondolier stands facing the bow with a long-handled oar. Gondoliers are expected to be expert swimmers just in case the gondola may capsize. They also fluent speakers of the Italian language. And those who could speak more languages have an edge over other gondoliers. In Macao, the gondolier usually sings to the riders or passengers while rowing the gondola on the calm, blue lagoon.
Damiano Baschiera via Unsplash
The Gondola Ride
In Venice, Italy
A very important of feature and excitement in Venice, Italy is its gondolas that passes through the many city canals. When visiting Venice, the gondola ride is a must-do or many tourists. This becomes an experience that seems unforgettable. The trip also displays the city's scenic attractions viewing from the Grand Canal.
In Asia
Next to Casino Gaming, the gondola ride is one of the tourist attractions in Macao. A visit to The Venetian Macao would never be satisfying without experiencing the exciting gondola ride. To experience the unique vibes of the City of Water, one has to take a streamlined, beautiful gondola and tour the canals of Shoppes at Venetian or the outside blue lagoon.
In the shelter of soothing sunlight and gentle freshness, one may saunter around the tranquil indoor rivers surrounded by shimmering city lights, and enjoy stunning views of Cotai Strip and artistic Venetian Gothic design. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is an experience worth reminiscing even for several decades. This leaves the gondola ride stand out of your many other rides, in your mind.
Now In the Philippines
The Gondola Ride can finally be now experienced in the Philippines. Located at Venice Grand Canal which is a lifestyle mall development under Megaworld Lifestyle Malls inside the 50-hectare McKinley Hill township of Megaworld Corporation in Fort Bonifacio Taguig City.
Just like in Italy and Macao, Venice Grand Canal’s Gondola Ride in Taguig, offers a similar Italian experience to tourists, groups, and families. It gives them a feel to tour the canal on water via the gondola ride. This is an experience worth remembering.
Gondola Ride, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Taguig, Philippines
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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2022 Ruby Campos
