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Ferro of a Venetian Gondola

The ferro, or the iron prow-head of the gondola, stands as a timeless emblem of Venice—a city intertwined with the elements of water and history. Its design is rich with symbolism: the six forward-facing prongs represent the six sestieri (districts) of Venice, while the singular prong pointing backward suggests the Giudecca Canal. Some say the S-shape of the ferro mirrors the flow of the Grand Canal. Beyond its symbolic allure, the ferro has a practical purpose—it balances the gondola's weight and aids the gondolier's navigation through the intricate waterways. This ferro, captured in the image, gleams under the sun, juxtaposed against the backdrop of luscious green, highlighting not just the craft of the gondolier, but also the harmony between human artistry and the natural world.

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Filename
1000022596.jpeg
Copyright
Marco Secchi
Image Size
1689x3000 / 7.7MB
https://www.marcosecchi.org/p/rights
https://www.marcosecchi.org/p/licensor-url
Contained in galleries
Venice Photo Walks
The ferro, or the iron prow-head of the gondola, stands as a timeless emblem of Venice—a city intertwined with the elements of water and history. Its design is rich with symbolism: the six forward-facing prongs represent the six sestieri (districts) of Venice, while the singular prong pointing backward suggests the Giudecca Canal. Some say the S-shape of the ferro mirrors the flow of the Grand Canal. Beyond its symbolic allure, the ferro has a practical purpose—it balances the gondola's weight and aids the gondolier's navigation through the intricate waterways. This ferro, captured in the image, gleams under the sun, juxtaposed against the backdrop of luscious green, highlighting not just the craft of the gondolier, but also the harmony between human artistry and the natural world.