Squero di San Trovaso, Shipyard in Venice, Italy
Squero di San Trovaso is a shipyard in Venice, Italy, where gondolas are built and repaired. It sits along the Rio di San Trovaso in the Dorsoduro district, opposite the church of San Trovaso, and consists of wooden buildings around a sloping yard.
The squero dates back to the seventeenth century, though some say it is older. It is one of the few boatyards still active in Venice, and in the past it built various types of lagoon boats, while today it focuses on gondolas.
The name "squero" comes from the Venetian word "squara", which refers to a team of people working together or to a square tool used by shipwrights. The boatbuilders, known as squeraroli, still use traditional methods, and their craft is passed down through generations.
The yard is best viewed from the opposite bank of the canal or from the bridge, as access is limited to a small door. Mornings on weekdays offer the best chance to see craftsmen at work, though the site can be crowded with onlookers.
The wooden buildings resemble mountain houses, a rarity in Venice, because the carpenters and timber came from the Cadore region. Inside, a small chapel dedicated to the art of boatbuilding belonged to the boatbuilders' guild.
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