
the secret:
The master of the Oars
Want a truly unique souvenir? Take home a miniature forcola, a piece of Venetian heritage made by a true artisan.
ESTIMATED
COST
€€
OPTIMAL
VISIT
3PM-7PM
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4.4 Reviews
Paolo Brandolisio’s workshop is a true piece of Venetian tradition. Here, gondola oars and forcole (the elegant curved rowlocks) are still carved by hand from a single block of cherry or walnut wood. More than craftsmanship, it’s centuries-old artistry, and Paolo, one of the last masters of his kind, continues to supply Venice’s gondoliers and keep this tradition alive.