The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) spans the Rio di Palazzo behind the Palazzo Ducale, connecting the Doge’s Palace to the prison. Built around 1600 by Antonio Contino, it got its Romantic name from Byron in 1819. Best viewed from the Ponte della Paglia below. Interior access requires a Palazzo Ducale ticket (around 25 EUR). Book online to skip the Piazza San Marco queue.
bridge in Venice
Bridge of Sighs
Also known as Ponte dei Sospiri
The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge's Palace to the prison across a narrow canal, and every prisoner who crossed it got one last view of Venice through its small stone-grilled windows before disappearing into the cells below. Lord Byron gave it the romantic name in 1819, imagining the sighs of condemned men.
- Type
- bridge
- Destination
- Venice
- Cost
- Free to visit
- Founded
- 1600
- Era
- Baroque
- Address
- Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venice
- Coordinates
- 45.4341, 12.3409
- Official website
- Visit website