This small square is used as a boatyard to build and repair gondolas.
The chief means of transportation within Venice, gondolas are fashioned out of eight different kinds of wood (mahogany, cherry, fir, walnut, oak, elm, larch and lime) and are made of 280 pieces.
The left side of the boat is longer than the right side, allowing the gondolier to pilot the gondola from the left without it changing direction and ensuring that intoxicated gondoliers don't accidentally hit their passengers in the face with an oar while switching sides.