14/08/2010 13:34
First-ever female gondolier in Venice's history
Venice has provided itself with the first-ever female gondolier in its history.
The first female gondolier is 24-year-old Giorgia Boscolo, who has two children. She passed the practical exam to become a gondolier and must now pass one further multiple-choice exam before being able to join the guild of official gondoliers.
Deputy Mayor of Venice Sandro Simionato says Giorgia's success breaks "900 years of male dominance" in the profession, and that it will likely inspire more women to try.
It’s worth mentioning that Giorgia continues her family’s tradition as her father Dante was a gondolier all his life.
However, men keep on thinking that to pilot a boat on Venice's canals is a difficult men’s job requiring strong physical training.