Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs featuring heritage architecture and a river or creek
Arching high over the water, linking a palace with a prison, is a spectacular bridge steeped in local legends.

The 17th-century Bridge of Sighs sits above the Palace River. It was designed to connect the interrogation rooms of Doge's Palace with a prison on the other side of the waterway. Discover why this white limestone structure is considered to be one of the most romantic sites in Venice, despite its dark history.

The magnificent crossing was named by the poet Lord Byron in the 19th century, inspired by a local legend. Prisoners who crossed the enclosed walkway on their way to prison gave a sigh of regret. They did so as they took a last look at the city through the bridge’s windows. 

Enter the bridge via the palace to view Venice through the stone bars, just like the prisoners used to do all those years ago. Then take a gondola ride and pass under the structure. From the water, you are able to study the Italian Renaissance-style bridge in more detail. Look up to see the mascarons, decorative ornaments in the form of happy and sad faces. 

A ride on the river to the bridge is the source of another theory about how it got its name. This one claims that lovers who go on a sunset gondola ride and kiss each other under the bridge are granted eternal love and bliss. They sigh because they are overwhelmed with romance.  

The bridge connects Doge’s Palace to the Palazzo delle Prigioni Nuove and is a short walk along the waterfront from Piazza San Marco. Take a tour of the palace, then cross the bridge via one of its two corridors to the former prison. This building was also used as an infirmary. Book ahead for these tours because they fill up quickly, especially during the peak tourist season.

Reviews of Bridge of Sighs

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
560
" "5 - Excellent 49.77777777777778%
4 - Good
471
" "4 - Good 41.86666666666667%
3 - Okay
92
" "3 - Okay 8.177777777777777%
2 - Disappointing
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" "2 - Disappointing 0.08888888888888889%
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
28 Jan 2020

Overall ok

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
18 Jan 2020

Not much to look at from the outside, but atmospheric from the inside as you walk from the Doge’s palace over to the dungeon!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Oct 2019

Ha ha - nearly forgot about this as there is so much to see in Venice but we went back. Anti climax I suppose but essential to have seen!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Oct 2019

Doge Palace, the Bridge Of Sighs and the attached prison is well worth a visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Oct 2019

we always thought this was romantic but the fantastic tour guide took us through walking across the bridge from what was the supreme court to the prisons. Not so romantic but fascinating!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Oct 2019

You can get across this fron the Doges Palace to the prison but otherwise you can only view it from the bridge downstream.

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