Tramontin Family: Venice's Last Traditional Gondola Shipwrights

The Tramontin family runs one of the last artisanal gondola workshops in Venice. Founded in 1884 by Domenico Tramontin, the business is now led by his daughters along with master carpenter Matteo Tamassia. They continue to build custom gondolas using traditional methods. In the late 19th century, Domenico introduced a major innovation: the asymmetrical gondola, which allowed gondoliers to navigate narrow canals more easily with a single oar. The family's squero is located in the Dorsoduro district, in the heart of Venice. Today, each gondola requires thousands of hours of labor and premium materials. The Tramontin gondolas are recognized worldwide as symbols of Venice. Elena Tramontin, the eldest sister, expressed pride in continuing this five-generation tradition. The story was featured in a video interview by Great Big Story magazine.