Venice's Island Of The Dead: Discover The Secrets Of Isola Di San Michele
It might seem odd to have an entire island set aside for the dead, but such is the case with Isola de San Michele in Venice. In a way, the peaceful isolation of the dead from the bustle of the living is a respectful statement. On the island is also a church, adding to the general ethereal representation of the island and its posthumous population.
Although this church, honouring the archangel Michael, was the first Renaissance church built in Venice, it is Roman Catholic; the cemetery has sections for other religious orders such as Protestant and Orthodox. Numerous famous people are buried here including Russian composer and pianist, Igor Stravinsky, American poet, Ezra Pound, and Austrian mathematician and physicist, Christian Doppler.
The island — about halfway between the main part of the city and Murano island — is accessible by ferry from the central section of the city of Venice, or by water taxi. The church is one of the more simple in Venice, sporting a fine statue of the Virgin Mary; otherwise, the church is essentially a support building for this island of the dead.
