Squero of S. Trovaso

The Squero di San Trovaso is one of the most “authentic” places in Venice, because it is one of the few boatyards where gondolas are still built and repaired today.

It is located in the Dorsoduro district, along a small canal, and has been active for a very long time (dating back to around the 17th century).

The word “squero” actually means boatyard: it is the place where traditional Venetian boats are made. In the past, not only gondolas were built here, but also other types of traditional boats.

Today, however, it mainly focuses on gondolas, which are still handcrafted using ancient techniques passed down over time.

One very distinctive feature is the appearance of the building: it almost looks like a mountain chalet, which is quite unusual for Venice. This is because many craftsmen came from the Cadore area and worked wood in the same way as in alpine regions.

In the past, there were many squeri in the city, but today only a few remain, and this is the most famous and visited one (even though it is usually viewed from the outside).