Venice’s cemetery is, fittingly enough, an island. It seems odd as a tourist destination, but if time allows, a visit is interesting and enlightening.

The Venice cemetery is divided into sections, old and new, protestant and Orthodox; or for gondoliers, WWII soldiers, nuns and priests, etc. Although there is no map to its layout, it is pleasant to wander around and explore. The older sections are lovely, filled with stately, moss covered stone tombs (the cemetery dates from the early 19th century), and planted with cypress trees and flowers.

The Orthodox section, a walled garden, is a pilgrimage destination for music lovers. Against the far wall, one can find the tombs of the Russian composer Igor Stravinski and his wife Vera, and that of the Russian ballet dancer, Sergei Diaghilev. All three are strewn with mementos of pebbles, flowers, calling cards and ballet shoes (in Diaghilev’s case). The American poet Ezra Pound’s tomb can be found in the Protestant section.

Different, but nonetheless a unique visit that goes beyond the usual Murano, Burano, Torcello circuit…

N.B.: This music lover’s calling card is now among the offerings on Stravinski’s tomb…