Venice is looking for new gondoliers: how to become one?

The application process is now open to officially become a gondolier, transporting tourists through Venice ‘s fascinating and much-envied canals . However, the available spots are very limited, the selection process is stringent, and the requirements are numerous. Obtaining the certification is not for everyone ; the ancient tradition of Venice cannot be entrusted to just anyone.

Fierce competition and selection tests: the challenge for apprentices Becoming a gondolier is far from an easy task . This historic profession, always a symbol of the city on the water, was once highly coveted and particularly lucrative. Positions were limited and had little room for maneuver: licenses were passed down exclusively from father to son , and female gondoliers were not allowed .

Today, there are only 433 gondoliers, but a massive generational shift is underway, requiring the training of new aspiring workers to ensure that the symbol of Venice does not become just a distant memory. What does the application process entail? To replace gondoliers with their typical horizontally striped shirts, aspiring workers must first pass a pre-selection test , which consists of a rowing exam. Judged by four commissioners, the minimum required score is 28 points.

Once this first phase is passed, they can proceed to the theoretical and practical courses. The candidate must still meet the following requirements : However, there is a significant change compared to the past. While historically, women were.