Discover the art of the Venetian oar maker with an authentic workshop visit in Venice

Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes

In the heart of Venice, this experience takes you into one of the rarest and most symbolic artisanal traditions of the lagoon: the craft of the Venetian oar maker. Inside the historic workshop of Piero Dri, known as "Il Forcolaio Matto" (The Mad Fork Maker), you will discover how the iconic forcole (oar rests) and oars still used today in Venetian gondolas are made by hand.

Amidst the scent of wood, ancient tools, and live demonstrations, you will witness the various stages of the artisanal process, observing gestures passed down through generations. During the visit, you can get in touch with the history, techniques, and precision required to create unique objects that are part of Venice's most authentic identity, with the possibility of participating in a small practical trial.

An immersive experience to discover Venice through wood, gestures, and one of the most poetic and fascinating crafts of the lagoon tradition.

What makes this experience special

• Authentic visit to the historic workshop of a Venetian oar maker
• Discovery of the artisanal process of making forcole and oars
• Live demonstration of traditional techniques
• Encounter with one of the most iconic crafts of the lagoon
• Possible practical experience during the visit
• Authentic atmosphere amidst wood, historical tools, and Venetian stories
• Experience for groups of 4 to 15 people

What you take home (along with the most authentic gestures of the lagoon)

A deeper insight into Venetian culture and the artisanal precision that still keeps alive one of the city's rarest and most identity-defining traditions.