Why are all gondola's black?

Question

Why are all gondola's black?

Answer 1

That way no one could have a "better" gondola to display.

Venice was a republic, and though not democratic its government was based on a very complex balance of powers so that no one could overpowers others. Maybe  "all gondolas have to be black" stems from that way of thinking.

Answer 2

they aren't, the Heavenly Valley Gondola is Red.....

Answer 3

Why do you care?  Get a life.

Answer 4

Because they remain in the water all year long, and therefore the material they are made of, wood be rotten unless their hull is covered with tar, which is an insulating material. Painting the rest of the gondola in black is matter of aesthetics, just for the uniformity of the colour...