On one side, the living city, on the other, the island where the deceased rest.

In between, water.

A little more than 400 metres separate the city of Venice from its cemetery, located on the island of San Michele.

To reach the island and honour the dead, Venetian tradition once called for the construction of a temporary floating bridge made of boats tied together, creating a long walkway that allowed people to cross the water.

That custom came to an end in 1950, perhaps due to the introduction of a public transport stop that made the connection between the city and the cemetery easier.

But now, more than 70 years later, the floating bridge once again connects Venice with the island.

Under heavy rain, a silent procession of citizens and officials cross the bridge on the day of its inauguration, entering the cemetery for a moment of reflection and prayer.

“It’s a concrete journey, it’s not fake, it’s not philosophical, but it is concrete. On foot, over the water, a beautiful journey to see and you understand so many things about Venice, without even saying them. You have to try,” says Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro after the procession.

To build the new floating bridge, this time the typical transport barges, known in Venice as “peata”, as used in the past, were not employed.

In their place is a modular structure.

“This is a floating bridge, a bridge that is assembled in modules. There are 20 modules, each with two pontoons and a walkway. These modules are assembled together to form this 400-metre bridge, 407 metres to be precise,” says Alberto Chinellato, director traffic and waterborne mobility in Venice.

To allow navigation in the canal, the bridge is also equipped with a passage underneath through which boats can pass.

The bridge has been resurrected before - one was installed in 2019.

It's one of the symbols that best represents this city built on water.

“The bridge in Venice, like almost no other part of the world, we might say, even just because of the sheer number of bridges, conveys this powerful message: we unite, we connect. No one is isolated. We live on islands, but we don't feel isolated,” says Giovanni Giusto, mayor's delegate for the protection of the traditions of the municipality of Venice.

And so, Venetians once again walk along the bridge, beginning this sort of city pilgrimage that will culminate on November 2nd, the day dedicated to the deceased known in the Christian faith as All Souls Day.

Among the first to cross the bridge is Francesco Cravin, a local resident:

“It's always nice to see (the city) from a different perspective. I have my parents here, who passed away, but this place gives me peace of mind”.

Also taking advantage of this unusual opportunity is Antonio Vespignani: “I usually don't go to the cemetery for various reasons, but I'm taking advantage of this very rare circumstance, it's a way for me to visit my loved ones.”

Some walk out of simple curiosity, while others bring flowers to the graves of their loved ones, like Elena, who, while crossing the bridge, says: “It's always a very reflective, spiritual moment.”

Roberto, another Venice resident, walking toward the cemetery, says: “It's nice to see the bridge again, it's a very beautiful thing. I'm going to visit Mom and Dad (at the cemetery).”

The bridge will remain open until November 9.

AP video shot by: Niccolò Lupone