You know you’re dealing with something special when a company has been around for over six centuries. That’s the case with Camuffo, the world’s oldest shipyard, making boats since 1438. It all began under the Venetian Republic, when the Camuffo family operated in Candia (modern-day Heraklion, Crete).

As the political climate shifted with the rise of the Ottoman Empire, many skilled craftsmen relocated to Venice, the heart of European maritime power. The Camuffo family settled in Chioggia, a key port city near Venice, by the late 15th century. Their expertise in shipbuilding flourished, and they became known for their high-quality fishing boats, gondolas, and naval vessels.