Venice in 3 facts

Venice is one of those places that you keep coming back to. Maybe it’s the romantic atmosphere, or the calm waters of its lagoon that charm you everytime. But how well do you really know Venice? Let us share a few juicy scoops about the city. Coming up, we have theft, gondolas, and a world record. Since the 15th century, Venice has been the home of mirror-making. Back then, many nations desperately wanted to learn this complex craft. Anyone who threatened to reveal its secrets faced the death penalty. But one man managed to outsmart the city, by luring away four Murano glassmakers. This man was Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Minister of Finance under King Louis XIV of France. Thanks to his audacity, the Royal Mirror Factory was created in Saint-Gobain, later producing the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Venice has nearly as many gondolas as it does bridges. 400 of these iconic boats are scattered across Venice’s canals. But only three gondola licenses are issued each year. To become qualified, you have to pass an intense 400-hour training course and a tough exam on Venetian history and landmarks. This has been a male-dominated profession since the 11th century, as the role is usually handed down from father to son. In 2010, the first female gondolier became qualified: Giorgia Boscolo. Well done to her—steering a 600-kilo boat is no small feat. And speaking of Italian women’s achievements, the first woman to earn a university degree did so in Venice. On June 25th, 1678, Elena Cornaro Piscopia was awarded a doctorate in philosophy at the age of 32. But because she was a woman, the city’s bishop banned her from teaching. Despite this, her case has become an inspiration in Italy and across Western Europe.