If Venice is named the Floating City, then Cimitero San Michele should be named the Floating Dead. Yes, it sounds eerie, but cemeteries can also be quite moving to visit. The Cimitero di San Michele has no shortage of moving stories and images. The only way to get to it is via boat. It’s a very quick trip out to the cemetery island and you can use your normal water bus pass to get there on the No. 41 or 42 vaporetto at the Fondamenta Nuove platform.
The island houses 3 different cemeteries; Catholic, Protestant, and Greek Orthodox sections vary greatly. The Catholic section is well kept and groomed. However, the Protestant and Orthodox sections are in disrepair. I actually prefer the less coiffed cemeteries as it makes me stop and reflect more about the graves I’m looking at. The toppled over crosses and gravestones leave many questions in my head; why did no one fix it, did no one care, is anyone in their family left, and the list goes on.
The bodies are of course transported by boat to the island in either a boat hearse, or a funeral gondola. Since the island has a finite amount of space, real estate is an issue. The bodies are allowed to decompose for twelve years, at which point they’re dug up. The families can then pay to ‘extend their lease’ or the remains are moved. Even when you have passed you are still moving around I guess.
The island is beautiful to photograph – go see for yourself!
I’m not the only one who finds cemeteries beautiful – check out this website solely dedicated to Cemetery Travel!
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
