The Arsenalotti
The internal organization of the Arsenale had a strict hierarchical appearance. The direction was divided into administrative and technical branches. Presided over and controlled throughout the production system a special Judiciary consists of three Arsenale's providers, who were members of the Senate in which they had to report periodically, and three patrons, selected by the members of the Great Council.
From the technical and industrial side, the Arsenale was run by the Great Admiral, who came from the most highly qualified technical workers, called protomaestri (master builders). The master builders of the corporations controlled the quality of finished ships in daily or weekly inspections.
The hierarchy included: protomaestri, captains, proti, marangoni (carpenters), shipwrights, remeri (oar workers), alboranti (mainmast worker), blacksmiths, cutting boards, mureri, sawyers and saltpetre workers.
Great attention was paid to young people who could benefit from an internal school: they were dockyard workers' son or young people who came from charitable institutions.
The Arsenale's workmen (Arsenalotti) were entrusted to particular positions of trust: in addition to the Arsenale Guard, the Doge's palace Guard and the Grand Council Guard, they were placed to guard the Mint and the Treasury in San Marco.
The Arsenalotti worked from dawn to dusk, with a break for lunch; the salaries were not very high, but they were able to enjoy many benefits, such as special bonuses, ancillary benefits, free housing for employees and leaders workers, donations of wine; could also remove the clippings processing of ships for their own use. They were, however, not only specialized in the construction of ships, but also took care of rope and gunpowder. In moments of inactivity, especially during the summer when the fleet was at sea, the Arsenalotti were employed as firefighters. In case of war the Arsenalotti formed the backbone of the Venetian navy and often were shipped as non-commissioned officers on ships built by themselves.
The providers could house the workers in accommodation (Arsenale's property) located outside the walls. You can still see signs that pointed to the residence of sector's leaders or area in which a particular type of workers had gathered.
From the technical and industrial side, the Arsenale was run by the Great Admiral, who came from the most highly qualified technical workers, called protomaestri (master builders). The master builders of the corporations controlled the quality of finished ships in daily or weekly inspections.
The hierarchy included: protomaestri, captains, proti, marangoni (carpenters), shipwrights, remeri (oar workers), alboranti (mainmast worker), blacksmiths, cutting boards, mureri, sawyers and saltpetre workers.
Great attention was paid to young people who could benefit from an internal school: they were dockyard workers' son or young people who came from charitable institutions.
The Arsenale's workmen (Arsenalotti) were entrusted to particular positions of trust: in addition to the Arsenale Guard, the Doge's palace Guard and the Grand Council Guard, they were placed to guard the Mint and the Treasury in San Marco.
The Arsenalotti worked from dawn to dusk, with a break for lunch; the salaries were not very high, but they were able to enjoy many benefits, such as special bonuses, ancillary benefits, free housing for employees and leaders workers, donations of wine; could also remove the clippings processing of ships for their own use. They were, however, not only specialized in the construction of ships, but also took care of rope and gunpowder. In moments of inactivity, especially during the summer when the fleet was at sea, the Arsenalotti were employed as firefighters. In case of war the Arsenalotti formed the backbone of the Venetian navy and often were shipped as non-commissioned officers on ships built by themselves.
The providers could house the workers in accommodation (Arsenale's property) located outside the walls. You can still see signs that pointed to the residence of sector's leaders or area in which a particular type of workers had gathered.
Signs' pictures are visible in the photo gallery section (pictures 11-13).
