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Séverine DABADIE
Photographer / Images and peoples / Argazkiak eta herriak
San Michele is a cemetery island.
In the past, a convent stood there in the north of the island.
Before the 19th century, Venetians buried their dead in parish cemeteries around churches.
Napoleon Bonaparte banned this practice in 1804 and built a unique cemetery, away from the city, on San Michele Island where the convent was located.
From the 19th century, San Michele became the cemetery of the Venetians.
The cemetery was organized and built by the architect Gian Antonio Selva
It houses the graves of famous figures such as Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929) to whom dancers always pay homage by placing a ballet slipper on his grave or Igor Stravisnky (1882-1971) and his wife Véra. The Russian composer died in the United States but was buried in Venice, according to his last wishes.
In the past, a convent stood there in the north of the island.
Before the 19th century, Venetians buried their dead in parish cemeteries around churches.
Napoleon Bonaparte banned this practice in 1804 and built a unique cemetery, away from the city, on San Michele Island where the convent was located.
From the 19th century, San Michele became the cemetery of the Venetians.
The cemetery was organized and built by the architect Gian Antonio Selva
It houses the graves of famous figures such as Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929) to whom dancers always pay homage by placing a ballet slipper on his grave or Igor Stravisnky (1882-1971) and his wife Véra. The Russian composer died in the United States but was buried in Venice, according to his last wishes.
