Are there any Gondola builders (Squero) still operating in Venice?

We'll be there mid-October and would love to take a tour or see gondola building in action.

I've found a few online, but their operations are now closed.

Thank you.

One that is still in operation is the squero di San Trovaso, but: a) they don't give tours; b) a lot of their work is repairing rather than building gondolas.

See the description at - gulp! -
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/venice/A33537.html

Thank you Zerlina.....

I think Samantha Brown visited a builder on her Venice show. She's on the Travel Channel, so you might go there and perhaps pull up her Venice trip and it might be listed. This show was just last year so it shouldn't be too outdated. She also visited a mask maker..a REAL mask maker..not cheap I'm betting but not the tourist garbage you see all over the place. I'm getting one if I ever get back to Venice.

crefloors...We saw that show a couple times and loved it. A trip to see the authentic mask maker (Mondonova) is definitely in our plan.

I have searched online for the same Gondola builder that she visited, but have had no luck.

Don't you just love Samantha's shows?

I just got done looking and couldn't find it either. Maybe they don't want to be found. I DID find on google..there is an American, Thom "something"..already forgot, that is making gondolas. I found THAT to be interesting. Maybe these guys just don't want a bunch of people bothering them at their work. Well, maybe you'll just run across one.

Rudy Maxa also visited a mask maker, don't know if its the same one Samantha went to but gorgous stuff. Happy shopping!!!!!!

Ha!!!!!! adventureseeker, I found the name but NOT the location. Tramontin and Sons. The great-grandson, Roberto and family make about two boats per year.

Here's one that gives tours of their operation, for 25 E. :

http://www.homeandabroad.com/viewSit...inInfoId=71880

try www.tramontingondole.it ...hope that works. They are at Dorsoduro 1542, San Trovaso, a small canal off the Grand Canal near the Zattere boat landing. You can contact Roberto through the website. He can arrange a tour with a translator. Also the American, Thom Price has a website www.squero.com.

I came up with these by just googling around. I was actually taken to a page of one of the Fodor's books. So, hope these links work and if not, keep googling.

Wow, small world. Holly's link goes to Thom Prices shop. Too funny.

Thom Price is no longer making gondolas. I'm not sure he's even still in Venice.

Not surprising. I was trying to find dates on these pages and couldn't see any. The last one I read said there were three gondola makers left and the page before that had said six, so things change don't they.

Crefloors: What do you mean, if you "ever" get back to Venice? Just plan a trip, and go!

My other link works so it looks like Roberto may still be in business. Good luck and if you do tour, please report back.

I read somewhere on the internet some time ago that the gondola builders had a place across the accademia bridge to the quideca canal. If you were going to La Calcina Hotel/Restaurant it was to your right along the canal.

Not much help but I do believe it is there.

We were in Venice 3 years ago and somehow stumbled upon a REAL gondola workshop..I wish I could remember what book we read about it in. All I can tell you is that it took alot of asking questions,and knocking on doors in a particular neighborhood..not one that we would have normally been visiting!why not ask a gondolier??