Bridge of Sighs

Bridge · Castello ·

Bridge of Sighs

Bridge · Castello ·

Enclosed white limestone bridge connects palace interrogation rooms to prison

Information

30124 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy Get directions

@michelinguide

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The University of Cambridge: Things to See, Do and Eat Around This Iconic Institution

"A stunning covered bridge of intricate stone tracery, it has encouraged countless Instagram posts and even some notable student pranks, with the best views reserved for punting tourists and college visitors." - Aashna Gajra

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/travel/university-of-cambridge-things-to-do-restaurants-hotels

Bridge of Sighs

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"The Ponte dei Sospiri was given its English name by part-time Venice resident Lord Byron, who wrote in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage : "I stood in Venice on a Bridge of Sighs, a palace and a prison on each hand." Byron's travelogue nails it: When you stand on the famous crossing, the Doge's Palace and a public prison are on either side. A local myth (that turned into the plot line for the film A Little Romance ) says that lovers who kiss on a gondola at sunset beneath the Bridge of Sighs will be granted eternal love. Access to the bridge itself is through the Secret Itinerary tour of the Doge's Palace."

Relaxing into a Week in Venice

Photo by Peter Probst / age fotostock

Bridge of Sighs

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Things to Do in Venice

Photo by Peter Probst / age fotostock

Bridge of Sighs

Marija R.

Google

One of Venice’s most iconic landmarks, a small bridge with a big story behind it. Built in the 17th century, it connected the courtroom to the prison cells. According to legend, prisoners crossing the bridge sighed as they caught their last glimpse of Venice, which is how it got its name. Today, it’s considered one of the city’s most romantic spots. As soon as you approach it, you understand why. The white stone, the detailed carvings, and the view over the canal create a scene that feels almost cinematic. In the evening, with the soft lights reflecting on the water, it becomes even more magical. A short stop, but a memorable one. The Bridge of Sighs is a must-see if you want to feel the true spirit of Venice.

emily

Google

Seeing the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) in person was one of those small but memorable moments in Venice. It’s not a big bridge like Rialto, but it carries so much history and atmosphere. We first saw it from Ponte della Paglia, and even though there were quite a few people around, the view was still beautiful. The white stone bridge looks elegant and slightly mysterious, especially with the small windows facing the canal. Standing there and watching the water below, with gondolas slowly passing under the bridge, really made the place feel special. It’s easy to understand why this spot is so famous. Knowing the story behind it — that prisoners once walked through this bridge from the courtrooms to the prison — adds a deeper feeling to the experience. It’s a bit sad when you think about it, but at the same time fascinating. We also saw the bridge from a gondola, which felt completely different. Looking up at it from the water gave a new perspective and made the moment feel more intimate and quiet, even though Venice itself is busy. The gondolier pointed it out, and everyone on the boat went silent for a moment, just taking it in. The area around the bridge is lively, but the bridge itself feels like a pause in the city — a place where history and beauty come together. It didn’t take long to visit, but it left a strong impression. The Bridge of Sighs may be small, but it’s definitely one of those places in Venice that stays in your mind long after you leave.

Christopher B

Google

Take the tour inside and you can walk though it. Unbelievable history there. Picture is view from inside it looking out. Great pictures from bridge down near the water. Venice is so beautiful and a great place to spend time at. Take a gondola ride under the bridge of signs. So many things to see and do in Venice. Definitely take some tours and learn the history of the city. It is so worth it.

Yuliia L.

Google

A bridge of sighs — and a reminder of the One who hears every cry. The Bridge of Sighs in Venice carries a heavy history. It once connected the courtrooms to the prison — a final passage for those who had been judged, their sighs echoing through the stone as they glimpsed their last view of freedom. But even in a place of sorrow, there is hope. Because there is One who hears every sigh, sees every tear, and offers true freedom — not just from chains, but from sin. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) The Bridge of Sighs reminds us that judgment is real — but so is mercy. Where human justice ends, divine grace begins. Through Jesus, the ultimate Judge became our Savior. He took our place so we could walk in freedom, not in fear. So even the saddest bridges can become sacred places when they point us to the cross — where the deepest sigh was breathed, and the greatest love was revealed. To God be the glory — even in our sighs, He brings salvation.

Gaurav G.

Google

You can see the bridge from the outside and go on it as part of the Dodge's Palace tickets. It's a section when you visit palace which is amazing

Paul B

Google

The bridge of sighs is located a few steps away from Piazza San Marco and therefore gets very busy. The bridge connects the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace to the Prigioni Nuove ( the new prison ) and was built in early 1600s. Entirely enclosed, it consists of two narrow and separated corridors designed as best as possible to prevent any possible prisoner's escape. Known today as the bridge of love, it was originally the bridge that prisoners crossed before being put in the prison and from which, sighing, they could see the sunlight for the last time. If you visit the Doge’s Palace you can walk through it.

Seema

Google

Venice stands as a masterpiece of history and romance, with its enchanting canals, stunning architectural marvels, and world-famous attractions like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge. The gondola rides only add to its charm

Braulio A.

Google

The Bridge of Sighs is one of Venice’s most photographed landmarks, and it’s easy to see why. With its elegant Baroque design and rich history, this stunning bridge captures the imagination of visitors from around the world. Spanning the Rio di Palazzo, it connects the opulent Palazzo Ducale to the adjacent prison, creating a stark contrast between grandeur and confinement. The bridge’s evocative name comes from the sighs of prisoners who, according to legend, took one last wistful look at the breathtaking Venetian lagoon before being led to their cells. Designed by Antonio Contino in the 17th century, its delicate white limestone façade and intricate carvings add to its romantic yet melancholic allure. Today, the Bridge of Sighs remains a symbol of Venice’s enchanting past. Whether viewed from the water on a gondola ride or admired from the nearby Ponte della Paglia, it offers a glimpse into the city’s layered history. The legend surrounding it has even inspired couples to believe that sharing a kiss beneath the bridge at sunset will ensure eternal love. With its fascinating story and architectural beauty, it’s no wonder this bridge continues to captivate visitors from all over the world.

Betsy M.

Yelp

While you are able to see the bridge from the outside, in order to walk through you must have a ticket for Doge's Palace. You can actually walk through the bridge (which I was obsessed with doing) as the final part of the self paced walking tour through the palace. The history for Ponte dei Sospiri runs deep, along with how it got its name... and thinking about those prisoners all those MANY years ago walking towards their cells, peering out at a last look before being locked away is sobering. Palace ticket price worth every bit of the history and architecture included!

Chris L.

Yelp

Another must see in Venice. Walk from the palace to the prison and see just how brutal people can be. Almost all of it is original and open to the public. Stop by the windows in the palace to see the carvings on the bridge and marvel at the intricate details.

Chris G.

Yelp

This is another required viewing spot when visiting Venice, be it while going over the Bridge of Sighs during a tour of the Doge palace, or looking from afar while on one of the neighboring crossings. The biggest issue is that it tends to be packed with tourists, like me, AND the 'insta' crowd wanting to take ridiculous amounts of pictures. Take your pictures and get out people, but do go and make sure you research WHY it is called the Bridge of "Sighs"...gulp. The bridge is steeped with history, but not overly lavish, some might consider it underwhelming.

Fred T.

Yelp

Sigh. It is one of many nay hundreds of must see things in Venice. But the issue is that its packed. When you couple that with always rude insta crowd hogging locations for 20+ minutes taking ridiculous amounts of poses like they are some kind of digital age Ansel Adams, it get tedious. There is photography etiquette that many observe like staying out of someone sightline when they are taking a shot. I waited 10 minutes and then asked as it seemed to have no end. The snarky "influencer" said I will be here a while so I will have to wait. At that point I simply took my place next to her and started taking shots with my DSLR. I am done with the selfie stick crowd and honestly 100 shots of a different head angle or you draped over the bridge rail is beyond excessive. Rant over... The bridge can be seen from another bridge to the side of the Doge's Palace. If you tour the Doge's Palace you get to walk across twice and get interior shots. I have to say the bridge is appropriately named as I would much rather be a guest of the Palace than the jail as it looked predicatively harsh on that side. Aside from the insta asshats is a nice quick stop and you can move onto other attractions.

Saira K.

Yelp

Ponte dei Sospiri (Lord Byron called it bridge of sighs) is a beautiful enclosed bridge in Venice. It's made of white limestone that looks like marble. It's very popular, and everyone's taking pictures or wants a gondola ride under it. But it doesn't have a romantic story. It connects the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace with the prison. People were sighing with sad feelings, not happiness. From the little windows in the bridge they saw their last view of Venice before going to prisons. But this may be something Lord Byron made up. The bridge was made in 1600 designed by Contino. The little water underneath is the Rio di Palazzo.

Sanjay G.

Yelp

Hyped but it has its historical importance Although only a small bridge if you compare to those famous bridges of Venice, but the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most viewed structures in the city and is an important historic landmark. Passing over the Rio di Palazzo, the bridge connects the Prigioni Nuove to Doge's Palace. it is situated in the city center near the Piazza San Marco. Near to St. Mark's Square. Why it is called Bridge of Sigh - Legend has it, it was part of the Doge's Palace prison complex, and convicts had to cross it to go from the Doge's interrogation rooms to the New Prison once they received their sentence. That as criminals were taken from the Palace over the bridge, they would cast once last glimpse at Venice and sigh; Well if you visiting Doge's Palace, then you can see it from inside and feel it. We did not go inside though. And Bridge is always crowded for the photo.

Nicole E.

Yelp

I can only imagine the countless sighs uttered as prisoners passed this bridge to the Doge's prisons after being sentenced. It is a bridge over the river palace of the Doge. It is not far from the famous St. Mark Square. I could see if I was a prisoner walking this bridge and catching my last glimpse of this beautiful city before being carted off to prison for who knows how long. A had a moment of silence and let out a sign as I looked onto this bridge, thinking of all of the souls that passed this bridge once upon a time.

Daisy K.

Yelp

The view from this bridge was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. You can get a great view of as you explore the prisons at Doge's Palace or from the bridge facing the Bridge of Sighs. Plus in the warmer days, it provides a nice cooling breeze as you walk around exploring Doge's Palace.

Norman W.

Yelp

Ponte dei sospiri crosses the canal from the interrogation rooms in the Doges Palace to the dungeons, therefore the name, Bridge of Sighs. Seen from the outside to the right of the Palace from the first bridge. If touring the Doges Palace you cross it on the inside, like the prisoners

Sam N.

Yelp

This historic bridge connects the Doge's Palace with its prisons and was named for the condemned prisoners who crossed it to meet their executioners. It was nice. The canal under it makes for great picture taking. Don't spend more than 15 minutes admiring it.

Samantha M.

Yelp

There's a lot of bridges in Venice, but this one has a bit of a creepy dark history. Prisoners would have to pass over this bridge as they were on the way to being locked up, so you can imagine the emotions that travelled across that bridge. It's also going over a canal that the sunlight doesn't hit quite as easily really adding to the slightly ominous atmosphere!