Venice Revives Historic Floating Bridge to San Michele Cemetery for All Souls' Day

Historic Tradition Reinstated

Venice, Italy – The historic city of Venice has once again revived a cherished, long-dormant tradition: the construction of a temporary floating bridge to San Michele island. This year, the 'Ponte Votivo di San Michele' allows mourners to make the solemn journey on foot to the island cemetery for All Souls' Day (Commemorazione dei Defunti), a practice that dates back to the 19th century.

The original tradition, which involved lashing together Venetian 'peata' boats, ceased in the 1950s with the advent of more regular public water bus services. After an absence of some seven decades, the bridge was initially revived in 2019 using modular pontoon construction. However, plans for it to become an annual fixture were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bridge Details and Access

The temporary structure, which opened on Thursday, October 30, 2025, spans over 400 meters (approximately a quarter-mile) across the lagoon from Fondamente Nove to the monumental entrance of the San Michele cemetery. Specifically, some reports indicate its length as 407 meters (1,359 feet) and its width as 15 meters (50 feet) or 15.5 meters. Constructed from modular pontoons, similar to those used for other Venetian festive bridges like the Feast of the Redentore and Madonna della Salute, it is designed to withstand high tides of up to 1 meter (over 3 feet). The bridge also features a navigable arch, 3.5 meters high and 10 meters wide, to allow boat traffic to pass underneath.

Access to the bridge was initially reserved for Venice residents and holders of the Venezia Unica card from October 30 to November 2. As of Monday, November 3, 2025, the bridge is open to all visitors and will remain accessible until November 9, 2025.

Significance and San Michele Island

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro emphasized the significance of the revival, stating, 'We have proposed it once more so we can reconnect history with living people.' He described it as a 'concrete journey' that helps people understand Venice. The bridge serves as a symbolic pathway, renewing the deep connection between Venetians and their departed loved ones.

San Michele island has served as Venice's primary cemetery since 1807, established after Napoleon decreed that burials be moved away from the city. It is the final resting place for many notable figures, including American poet Ezra Pound, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, and poet Joseph Brodsky.