A cavana is a covered shelter for boats. They are typical of the city and lagoon of Venice.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Paolo_Monti_-_Serie_fotografica_-_BEIC_6342936.jpg/220px-Paolo_Monti_-_Serie_fotografica_-_BEIC_6342936.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Cavana.jpg/220px-Cavana.jpg)
The word is thought to come from the Italian word 'capanna' meaning hut: the oldest depictions are represented as shelters covered with straw-like huts. Over time, shelters of this kind were also made in the body of buildings, palaces or usually used for storage, on the side facing a small river.