The San Michele Island is a small island located in the Northern part of Venice, at a distance of approximately 500 meters. It is the island where the Cemetery of the Venetian people is located. The old cemeteries are a place which is always surrounded by mystery and raise interest in those interested in unusual things and places.
After visiting the fish market from Rialto and the Naval History Museum, one can think of making a trip to the San Michele island. One can leave from San Zacaria station, passing through the Naval History Museum, Giardini, Francesco Morosini Naval Military School, the naval shipyard, the Nuova Fondamente and then Cimitero. One does not have to fear of being blocked on the island as the vaporetto comes from 20 to 20 minutes.
In the old days, when people died in Venice, they were buried there. However, since 1797 when Napoleon came here with the French people, he forbade the dead people to be buried here because of the waters. This si how, the San Michele island became the Island of the Dead.
It is isolated in the middle of the sea. The entire island has a tall wall all around it and all one can see are the crosses “heads”. There are not so many things to be seen here, but the San Michele Cemetery, the San Michele in Isola Church and the Emiliani chapel. It is a true open air museum, not just a cemetery, as many call it.
The Emiliani Chapel dates from the 16th century being made by the Guglielmo dei Gri architect. It has the aspect of a small white temple, with 6 faces, 17 meters tall, being made from Istria stone. This stone is water resistant this iswhy a lot of monuments from Venice use it. The Church is built in renaissance style.
The cemetery is fully functional here and very well organized. It even has a flower shop, a kind of funeral shop with all kinds of needing things, access ramps and a lot of indicators telling you where you are heading.
Enjoy this experience!
