Dark days for Venice gondola makers with fewer romantic tours on water

'Venice without gondolas is dark and meaningless,' says Roberto Dei Rossi, one of the few remaining traditional carpenters who build the long black boats. Photo: AFP

Already under threat, Venice's traditional gondola shipyards now lie silent apart from the gentle sound of canal water lapping at their doorsteps.

When Italian master Canaletto was painting his panoramas of the floating city in the 18th century, the "squeri", as they are known, were ten a penny. Now only four of the small shipyards remain.