Venice reopened a temporary pedestrian bridge across a 400-metre stretch of water to allow residents to reach the island cemetery for All Souls’ Day, reviving a local tradition that once relied on small Venetian boats. The structure, which has been reintroduced in recent years using a modular pontoon design, was in place in time for the holiday when Italians traditionally visit cemeteries to honor the deceased.
The crossing recalls an older practice in which Venetians used peata boats to form a makeshift link between the city and the island cemetery. That historic arrangement provided a seasonal route for mourners and families to reach burial sites without relying on standard boat services. In 2019 the temporary crossing was restarted using a modern approach: a modular pontoon design that can be assembled and removed as needed, replacing the earlier boat-based configuration while preserving the function of the seasonal connection.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro described the renewal of the bridge as an effort to tie the city’s history back to its living community. “We have proposed it once more so we can reconnect history with living people,” he said, framing the initiative as both practical and symbolic. City authorities implemented the structure to coincide with All Souls’ Day observances, ensuring residents could cross the waterway to attend cemetery rites and family memorials on the holiday.
All Souls’ Day traditionally falls shortly after All Saints’ Day and is observed across Italy as a day to remember and honor those who have died. In Venice, where burial grounds are located on separate islands, access can require boat travel; the temporary bridge provides a straight route across the 400-metre distance for pedestrians, simplifying passage for older residents and families carrying flowers or other offerings.
The modular pontoon design adopted since 2019 allows the temporary crossing to be installed for specific occasions and dismantled afterward, a practical solution in a city where permanent alterations to waterways and island access are constrained by heritage and environmental considerations. The reintroduction of the bridge has attracted attention as an example of how contemporary engineering can be used to revive a communal practice without permanently altering the lagoon’s infrastructure.
Officials confirmed the bridge was operational for the All Souls’ Day period, enabling residents to reach the island cemetery for services and private visits. The measure reflects ongoing efforts by local authorities to balance respect for Venice’s maritime traditions with the needs of present-day residents. Observers and city officials will likely assess the crossing’s utility and public response as the city considers whether to propose similar temporary links for future commemorations or other community events.
Observers and city officials will likely assess the crossing’s utility and public response as the city considers whether to propose similar temporary links for future commemorations or other community events.