The reconstruction of historic vessels that no longer exist, following the principles of experimental archeology, is the best 'benchtest' for the verification of the historical evidence gathered or reconstructive hypotheses. In fact, many theories which appear to be valid do not stand up to practical verification; sometimes the building of a replica can lead to new and original theories. This type of appraoch, which is normal in most European countries where hundreds of boats and even large ships have been accurately restored, is unheard of in Italy.

For this reason we try to analyse all of our reconstructions at least with working scale models, on which dimensions, materials, structure and functionality of the manoeuvres can be verified. In some cases we have been lucky enough to have the occasion to build full-scale reconstructions both for private clients and for theatre, cinema and television sets. For example The Time Machine, The Honest Courtesan, The Merchant of Venice, The Young Casanova (2002) and Disney's Casanova with Jeremy Irons( 2004).

The 18th century gondola

The reconstruction of an eighteenth century gondola was particularly interesting. As can be seen in the photographs it is radicaly different from the modern-day gondola: less asymmetrical, much more 'spread out' in the water, with out-of-phase frames in the bow and the felze (small cabin) to protect the passengers.

The design of the ferro di prua (metal bow ornament) was particularly difficult: in all the relevant images and technical drawings it appeared to be much larger than the modern ferro. Fortunately the discovery of two original ferri  confirmed that they did have enormous proportions. We found them inside the peota that the Duke of Savoia had built in 1731 in Burano and transported to Torino where it is kept to this today; according to documents discovered by Luigi Grica, these ferri belonged to two smaller boats that, together with the peota, formed a small Venetian fleet  

LThe detailed description of this reconstruction can be found in the books La gondola and La gondola di Casanova, Marsilio, Venice, 1998; and also in the general construction plans in 1:10 scale and detailed construction plans in 1:1 scale P 248, 249, 250.

Brief: full size reconstruction of an eighteenth century gondola.

Cliente: Proto Venezia boatyard, Luca Goldoni.

Date: 1997

The gondola under construction

Project of the 18th century gondola

Tracing the simonela

Ferro dating from about 1730

Reconstruction of a fifteenth century gonsola built by Paolo Puggiotto for the film The Merchant of Venice. (See also 1:10 scale model).