Post by thespeechless on Aug 6, 2006 10:14:49 GMT -5
The gondola is propelled by an oarsman (the gondolier) who stands facing the bow and pushes, rather than pulls, a single oar. Contrary to popular belief the gondola is never poled, the waters of Venice being too deep for that.
The oar or remo is held in an oar lock known as a forcola. The forcola is of a complicated shape, allowing several positions of the oar for slow forward rowing, powerful forward rowing, turning, slowing down and rowing backwards.
The oar and forcola:
The oar or remo is held in an oar lock known as a forcola. The forcola is of a complicated shape, allowing several positions of the oar for slow forward rowing, powerful forward rowing, turning, slowing down and rowing backwards.
The oar and forcola: