Su
About El Fèlze
The Gondola
Squerariòli
Remèri
Fravi
Indoradori
Intagiadori
Fonderie
Tapessieri
Sartori
Barateri
Calegheri
Members

El Fèlze was founded in 2002.

The gondola is not just a boat. It is a dynamic system in which the boat, the water and the gondolier participate: the movement in the water gives symmetry to the asymmetry of the boat, balance to the imbalance of the boat, man and oar. The gondola itself is the product of another complex system, the result of contributions from very different trades: it is the boat, the oar, the forcola, the brass horses, the fèlze, the ferro, the cushions, the carved and gilded decorations, the seating for the passengers, the hat and the clothes of the gondolier. Everything that ensures that…

in the gondolas you proceed quietly, relaxed, safe whether alone or accompanied, and you can sing, laugh, joke, play and do whatever you wish.

The association El Fèlze is the voice of the harmonious variety of trades that creates the ‘gondola system’: the founding members are squerariòli and remèri, ottonài and fràvi, intagiadóri and indoradóri, and marangóni and tapessièri, and baretèri and caleghèri and sartóri. They are the artiéri de gòndole et suoi forniménti: the craftsmen who make the boat, the oar, the forcola, the furniture, decorations and accessories. The association does not intend to ‘live in the past’: it is the past that continues to thrive in the present and will pass its vitality on to the future.

El Fèlze

• seeks to promote the crafts that continue the constructive and creative traditions that have developed over the centuries around the gondola;

• believes that it is possible to provide assistance to the crafts which are at risk;

• endeavours to teach gondola construction techniques to new generations of craftsmen;

• suggests – for each craft – a set of procedures in order to provide a guarantee of quality;

• would like to broaden awareness of the craft traditions that have developed around the gondola.

El Fèlze is an economic and cultural project, open to craftsmen, gondoliers, professional associations, public bodies, cultural associations, sports clubs and anyone who shares the desire to safeguard, promote and promulgate the history and secrets of the gondola.

For a list of members of El Fèlze click here

For a map showing El Fèlze workshops in Venice click here

El fèlze would like to thank the following organizations for their help and contributions

Provincia di Venezia

Comune di Venezia

Ras Bank Venezia Mestre

Regione del Veneto

Azienda di promozione turistica di Venezia

Ente Gondola

tel 041 5200331 - fax 041 5230180