Baron Corvo’s Grave

The pale red brick walls and tall cypresses of San Michele Island rise from the lagoon waters less than a quarter mile from Cannaregio’s Fondamente Nove. They form a perpetual memento mori, a reminder of human mortality, especially when a black boat, discreetly carrying a garlanded casket, makes its stately way toward the island, passing the floating sculpture of Virgil guiding Dante’s barque to the underworld.

Once, Venice buried its dead in the walls and floors of its churches, even under the paving stones of church ; and when it was needed, there was an ossuary