I didn't put a stop watch on the entire operation but did take note of my watch when the boat started to enter the gondola. By the time I saw the boat exit the top end and start on the way to the tunnel was around 20 min. They advertise that a trip on a boat to go from the lower canal, up in the wheel to the upper aquaduct, sail along the aquaduct to and through the tunnel, and all the way back again takes an hour.

This includes the time for the doors at the ends of the Gondola to open letting the water to stabilize with the level of the canal and the whole operation of doors and water levels again on the other end of the cycle.

If you only count the time for the Wheel to rotate I would estimate less than 5 minutes. You can see it move. It's a smooth and effortless looking operation.

And another amazing thing is the doors at the ends of the gondolas and sealing the canal have no mechanical fastener to lock them closed. It's all just water pressure.




In this photo you can see the doors holding back the canal. To open the doors and allow a boat through you equalize the pressure by moving the Gondola full of water against it and then just fold the door down and away.

Pure genius. And 300 year old genius at that. It's exactly the same principal as the doors of a lock.