Bridge of Sighs, Stone footbridge in historical center, Venice, Italy
The white limestone bridge spans the Rio di Palazzo canal with two parallel corridors, connecting the Doge's Palace to the New Prison complex.
Architect Antonio Contino completed the construction in 1603 as part of the Doge's Palace expansion project to accommodate increased numbers of prisoners.
The name originated from Lord Byron's interpretation of prisoners sighing at their final view of Venice through the bridge's barred windows before imprisonment.
Visitors can access the interior passage of the bridge exclusively through guided tours of the Doge's Palace, available daily with advance reservations.
The structure contains two separate corridors within its enclosed design, preventing prisoners from encountering each other during simultaneous transfers.
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 30124 Venice
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: August 2, 2025 13:01
Venice offers multiple photo opportunities. The Rialto spans the Grand Canal while houses in Burano display different colors. St Mark's Square presents the Byzantine basilica, campanile and Doge's Palace. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the prison. The islands of Murano and Torcello feature glasswork and historical monuments.
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
155 m
Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs
91 m
Doge's Palace
54 m
St Mark's Clocktower
171 m
Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro
121 m
St Mark's Clock
134 m
Defense system of the Venice Lagoon
123 m
Loggetta
132 m
Treasury of San Marco
99 m
Ponte della Paglia
54 m
San Basso
159 m
Chiesa di San Teodoro
107 m
Museo diocesano d'arte sacra Sant'Apollonia
69 m
Porta della Carta
78 m
Palazzo Patriarcale
133 m
Palazzo Trevisan Cappello
128 m
Museo dell'Opera
31 m
Ponte de la Canonica
102 m
Palazzo delle Prigioni
50 m
Sala del Maggior Consiglio - Palazzo Ducale
63 m
Column of San Marco
108 m
Ponte Capello
137 m
Lion of Venice, Piazzetta San Marco
107 m
Ponte de San Provolo
145 m
Calle dei Albanesi
58 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes