The first cent taken in at a Venetian ferry is for the oil of the Virgin's lamp. Photo by Gribayedoff. Since its construction in 1687 gondoliers have traditionally had their oars blessed at the Church of Santa Maria Della Salute, across the Grand Canal from St. Mark's Square. However, their patron saint is Santa Lucia of the Gondoliers whose remains resided in Venice for 800 years. In 2004, after a bitter custody dispute, she was returned to her home town of Syracuse, Sicily. Source: Outing magazine, vol. LI no. 6, March, 1908, p. 655.