Bridge of Sighs, Stone footbridge in historical center, Venice, Italy
The Ponte dei Sospiri is an enclosed footbridge made of white Istrian stone that spans the Rio di Palazzo canal, linking the Doge's Palace to the prison complex. The structure displays small rectangular windows with stone bars on its outer faces and carries an arched shape that fits smoothly into the surrounding architecture.
Architect Antonio Contino finished construction in 1603 when the Venetian Republic needed new prison cells and wanted to link them to the existing administrative building. The crossing provided a discreet connection for prisoner transfers and allowed the expansion of judicial facilities without major urban intervention.
The nickname came from Lord Byron's reading that prisoners would sigh at their final glimpse of Venice through the barred openings. Even now, travelers associate the site with this romantic idea, though most inmates during transfers had little chance to pause and take in the view.
Access is only possible during a guided visit to the Doge's Palace, which runs daily with advance booking. The narrow corridors and steps inside the palace can be challenging for visitors with limited mobility.
Inside run two separate passages side by side, so prisoners could not meet each other during simultaneous transfers. This architectural separation allowed authorities to move different inmates independently without risking communication or conflict between them.
Location: Venice
Inception: 1614
Architects: Antonio Contin
Length: 11 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Made from material: Istrian stone
Address: 30124 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 09:00-19:00; Friday-Saturday 09:00-23:00; Sunday 09:00-19:00
Phone: +39848082000
Website: https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it
GPS coordinates: 45.43406,12.34086
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:02
Venice offers many opportunities for photos. The city sits on over one hundred small islands connected by canals and bridges. The Grand Canal curves through the historic center, lined with palaces from different centuries. The Rialto Bridge spans the canal at its narrowest point and has served as a major crossing since the 16th century. St. Mark's Square forms the center of the city, with St. Mark's Basilica, the campanile, and Doge's Palace. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the former prison cells. On the surrounding islands, you can find other landmarks: Burano displays brightly painted houses, Murano is known for its glass workshops, and Torcello preserves Byzantine mosaics from the early Middle Ages. The Cannaregio district in the north houses the Jewish Museum and quieter canals away from the main routes. The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute stands at the entrance to the Grand Canal and shapes the city's skyline.
Venice is naturally suited for romantic getaways, with its winding canals, historic palaces, and squares full of history. This selection gathers places that make the city so popular among couples: Saint Mark's Square with its basilica and campanile, the Bridge of Sighs where tradition invites you to kiss in a gondola, or the quays of Fondamenta delle Zattere stretching along the Giudecca Canal. The Grand Canal, the main artery measuring 3.8 kilometers long, reveals 170 palaces built between the 13th and 18th centuries. This collection also includes characterful accommodations set within authentic Venetian residences. The Gritti Palace occupies a 15th-century palace overlooking the Grand Canal, while Ca' Bonfadini features its frescoed salons in the Cannaregio district. To extend your stay, the La Fenice Theatre offers opera performances in a restored 18th-century setting after the 1996 fire. San Giorgio Maggiore island, accessible by vaporetto, allows you to view the city from its campanile with an unobstructed perspective over the urban area.
St Mark's Basilica
99 m
Piazza San Marco
224 m
Horses of Saint Mark
125 m
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana
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Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs
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Doge's Palace
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St Mark's Clocktower
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Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro
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St Mark's Clock
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Defense system of the Venice Lagoon
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Loggetta
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Treasury of San Marco
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Ponte della Paglia
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San Basso
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Chiesa di San Teodoro
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Museo diocesano d'arte sacra Sant'Apollonia
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Porta della Carta
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Palazzo Patriarcale
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Palazzo Trevisan Cappello
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Museo dell'Opera
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Ponte de la Canonica
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Palazzo delle Prigioni
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Sala del Maggior Consiglio - Palazzo Ducale
63 m
Column of San Marco
108 m
Ponte Capello
137 m
Lion of Venice, Piazzetta San Marco
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Ponte de San Provolo
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Calle dei Albanesi
58 mReviews
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