Italian
A community united in remembrance: between history, sorrow and shared identity, Pellestrina honors the 67 victims of the “Giudecca” steamboat
VENICE – This morning, the community of Pellestrina gathered on the forecourt of the Church of Ognissanti to remember one of the most painful chapters in its history: the sinking of the Giudecca steamboat, which took place on October 13, 1944, during World War II. Marking its 81st anniversary this year, the event continues to serve as a moment of deep reflection and unity for the local community.
City representatives attending the ceremony included the Councillor for Island Affairs and the President of the Lido Pellestrina Municipality, along with civil, religious and military authorities.
A tragedy in open waters
According to historical sources, the Giudecca, a regular steamer operated by ACNIL, provided daily service between Chioggia and Venice. It departed Chioggia at 12:30 p.m. carrying over 200 people – some sources claim up to 400 passengers – including civilians, workers and students.
Shortly after passing the Ca’ Roman stop, just a few kilometers from the port of Chioggia, around 1:00 p.m., the vessel was suddenly attacked by three Allied aircraft. After an initial strafing run, the fighters dropped three bombs, turning the steamer into a death trap within minutes. A total of 67 bodies were recovered, though not all were identified, deepening the collective grief.
The ritual of remembrance
The commemoration began with the celebration of Holy Mass. This was followed by the laying of two laurel wreaths:
- one at the bronze sculpture by Giuseppe Vio, which commemorates the tragic event;
- the other at the memorial stone in the lagoon opposite the square, in memory of the 67 victims.
A community united in memory
Numerous organizations were involved in planning the event: the Veneto Region, Coast Guard, City of Chioggia, veteran and volunteer associations, as well as civil and religious authorities. Also present were the local marching band and Civil Protection volunteers, who respectfully accompanied the various stages of the ceremony.
As every year, the local population responded with great participation. Many Pellestrina residents attended, demonstrating how deeply rooted this tragedy remains in the community’s memory — not only as a historical obligation but also as an act of shared identity.
