View source for Squero

<br>[[File:Gondolasquero.JPG|right|thumb|200px|''Gondola'' construction occurring at a ''squero'']]
The term '''''squero''''' is the Venetian word for a boatyard. The plural for this term is '''''squeri'''''. [[Traditional boats]] such as the ''[[sandolo]]'', ''[[mascareta]]'', ''puparin'', and ''[[gondola]]'' are still hand-built in traditional ''squeri''. These traditional ''squeri'' are home to some of the world’s most talented wooden boat craftsmen, the ''[[squerarioli]]''.<ref>"The Gondola, Its History and Usefulness." Sito Ufficiale Della Gondola Veneziana. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.gondolavenezia.it/history.asp>.</ref> Most ''squeri'' are small, often dedicated to building only one particular type of boat. 
The loading area of a ''squero'' consists of a downward sloping ground that goes directly from the boatyard into the [[canal]]. This allows effortless transport and also eliminates the risk of damaging boats.<ref>Catalano, Brian, Kristen Gervais, and Ryan Sinapius.  Preserving the Nautical Traditions and Maritime Heritage of Venice, Italy.  Interactive Qualifying Project, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2005.</ref> 
The largest and most well-known ''squero'' in Venice is the [[Arsenale]], also known as the "State Squero", founded in 1104 A.D. and still standing today. 

===Historical Usage===
Traditional boats were handcrafted in Venice and each ''squero'' specialized in a different type of boat, this was done in order to meet the demands of the Venetian residents. A few characteristics of all traditional boats are common, including flat bottoms and a narrow draft hull. These characteristics are necessary to allow the ships to navigate throughout the shallow waters of the Lagoon. Specific ''squeri'' would typically specialize in the manufacture of one type of boat in order to maximize productivity. For example, a ''squero'' which created ''gondole'' will need to manufacture the boats in such a way to allow the gondolier to paddle on just one side of the boat without causing it to turn.

==Squeri Today==
[[Image:Squero di San Trovaso.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Squero di San Trovaso]]
There are seven ''squeri'' in the Venice lagoon that still build traditional boats. The oldest functioning ''squero'' still in existence is the Squero of San Trovaso, which dates back to the year 1612 when it employed approximately 60 [[boatbuilders]]. <ref>Bigda, Bryan, Michelle Dubuke, Daniel LaTorella, and Jennifer Richards. Museo Arzanà:  Preserving the Traditional Boats of Venice.  Interactive Qualifying Project, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2007. </ref>

===Table of Existing Squeri=== 
The following is a compilation of the remaining traditional ''squeri'' in the Venice and the surrounding lagoon islands. <ref>Candlish, Sean, Craig Shevlin, and Sarah Stout.  The Traditional Boats of Venice:  Assessing a Maritime Heritage.  Interactive Qualifying Project, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2004.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! District !! Open/Closed !! Management !! Primary Service !! Annual Production
|-
| Cantiere Vidal || [[Burano]] || Open || Vidal Family || New Boat Construction || 4 New Boats
|-
| Cantiere Amadi || [[Burano]] || Open || Vittorio Amadi || New Boat Construction || 0-1 New Boat(s)
|-
| Squero Crea || [[Dorsoduro]] || Open || Franco Vienello || New Boat Construction || 5-6 New Boats
|-
| Squero Canaletto || [[Cannaregio]] || Open || Thom  Price || New Gondola || 1 New Gondola
|-
| Squero of Giudecca || [[Dorsoduro]] || Open || Roberto Dei || New Gondola || 5 New Gondole
|-
| Squero at Ognissanti || [[Dorsoduro]] || Open || Nedis || New Gondola || 2-3 New Gondole
|-
| Squero of San Trovaso || [[Dorsoduro]] || Open || Lorenzo || New Gondola || 1 New Gondola
|-
| Squero of Strada Guidecca  || [[Dorsoduro]] || Closed || Unknown || No Operations || N/A
|-
| Squero on San Pietro || [[Castello]] || Closed || Unknown || No Operations || N/A
|-
| Squero on Mendicanti Canal || [[Cannaregio]] || Closed || Circolo Nautico || Rowing Club Boat || N/A
|-
| Squero on Mendicanti || [[Cannaregio]] || Closed || Unknown || Storage Facility || N/A
|-
| Squero at Anconeta || [[Cannaregio]] || Closed || Unknown || Storage Facility || N/A
|-
| Sqero at Servi || [[Cannaregio]] || Closed || Arzana || Boat Preservation || N/A
|-
| Squero in Corte of Mutti || [[Cannaregio]] || Closed || Unknown || Under Construction || N/A
|}

==Squeri Locations==

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==See Also==
*[[Traditional boats]]
*[[Maritime heritage]]
*[[Squerarioli]]
*[[Arsenale]]

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
NULL

==External Links==
*[http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squero Italian Wikipedia article on squeri in Venice]

[[Category:Traditional Boats]]