Squero Casal ai Servi
In Venice, the evocative museum headquarters of the Arzanà Association located in a 15th century shipyard
The Casal ai Servi boatyard, dating back to the 15th century, is one of the most secret and fascinating places in Venice, a treasure trove of history passed down to us thanks to the work of the Arzanà Association, which established its headquarters in this ancient shipyard for the construction of rowing boats.
The Association Arzanà’s name derives from the Venetian term that Italian poet Dante used to describe the Venice Arsenal in the Divine Comedy and it was founded in 1992 with the objective to recover, study and preserve the traditional naval heritage of Venice, otherwise likely to be lost forever.
The squero (in Venetian dialect the place where rowing boats & gondolas were built), is the oldest still existing in Venice and it has been featured in many films such as Casanova and The Merchant of Venice. It hosts many picturesque “rescued” boats, including poet Robert Browing’s gondola, as well as many collections of vintage unique marine objects.
The squero was managed until 1920, when it ceased operations, by one of the oldest dynasties of gondola builders, the Casals. Renowned for inventing new construction techniques, such as the classic asymmetrical hull, as well as for the exquisite finish of their creations, during the 19th century they became the most sought-after builders among the major European aristocratic families, especially the House of Savoy.
Entering the ancient squero, preserved intact over time thanks to its philological restoration, is like taking a dive into the past inside the workshop of wonders of a remèr (maker of oars and forcole, the typical rowlocks of gondolas) among shelves filled with collections of naval objects and rare nautical “artifacts,” such as one of the few remaining original felze (the structures placed on the gondola to protect passengers from the rain) or the only existing gondolìn da fresco (a type of gondola used for “rides” on the water in the summer).
The squero was managed until 1920, when it ceased operations, by one of the oldest dynasties of gondola builders, the Casals. Renowned for inventing new construction techniques, such as the classic asymmetrical hull, as well as for the exquisite finish of their creations, during the 19th century they became the most sought-after builders among the major European aristocratic families, especially the House of Savoy.
Entering the ancient squero, preserved intact over time thanks to its philological restoration, is like taking a dive into the past inside the workshop of wonders of a remèr (maker of oars and forcole, the typical rowlocks of gondolas) among shelves filled with collections of naval objects and rare nautical “artifacts,” such as one of the few remaining original felze (the structures placed on the gondola to protect passengers from the rain) or the only existing gondolìn da fresco (a type of gondola used for “rides” on the water in the summer).
Info utili
Arzanà
Calle delle Pignatte
Cannaregio 1936/D
30121 Venezia
associazionearzana@gmail.com
