13/07/2026
Whilst on a trip to Venice I was amazed by this beautiful piece of wooden art on each Gondola, meet the most important piece of wood in Venice: the Forcola! That uniquely carved wooden rowlock on a gondola isn't just art—it is a engineering masterpiece. The hand-carved rowlock made from a single block of walnut, cherry, or pear wood. Custom-built by a master carpenter (called a remèr) to match the exact height and weight of an individual gondolier. How is it used? Multi-position fulcrum that allows the gondolier to steer, slow down, back up, and accelerate. Morphing design where every curve, notch, and angle provides a different pivot point for the oar. Single-oar control system that lets one person navigate Venice's tight, crowded canals without a rudder. Seeing a master carpenter (remèr) hand-carving a Forcola in Venice was pure magic! This isn't just a beautiful piece of wood—it’s the high-tech steering wheel of a traditional gondola. Every notch and curve serves a purpose, custom-made for the gondolier. Did you know one piece of wood does all the steering, braking, and accelerating?
