Bridge of Sighs : View facing the lagoon, from the small Ponte de Canonica

Bridge of Sighs : View facing inland, from the touristy Ponte della Paglia

Bridge of Sighs : Crossing the bridge toward Palazzo Ducale

Bridge of Sighs : Crossing the bridge toward the new prisons

Bridge of Sighs : One last sigh, looking outside at the city

Bridge of Sighs : One last sigh, looking at the lagoon

Bridge of Sighs : Graffitis made by the prisoners in their way to the prison

Bridge of Sighs : Sala della Quarantia Criminale - one of the last rooms from Palazzo Ducale the prisoners will see before walking inside the bridge...

Bridge of Sighs : ...to their new dwelling: the prison cell

Ponte dei Sospiri

Bridge of Sighs

Enclosed bridge named for the sighs of convicts crossing it en route to the palace prison.

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Sestiere San Marco

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San Marco (4-min walk)

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Traversing the bridge is included in your visit to Palazzo Ducale.

Highlights

The only covered bridge in Venice

The single arch, 11-meter (36-foot) long bridge made of white Istrian stone contains two separate corridors running next to each other.

Origin of the name

The bridge earned its name because it was the last bittersweet view of beautiful Venice that convicts saw through its windows, before being taken to their cells, prompting them to ... sigh!

Romantic myths

In recent history, bolstered also by poems from Casanova, a modern legend emerged: lovers who kiss under the bridge at sunset, while hearing the bells of Campanile di San Marco, will be blessed with eternal love.

Why visit

The Bridge of Sighs is simply one of the world's most famous bridges.

Experience the Bridge

From the inside

Cross the bridge and contemplate the emotions prisoners felt as they cast one last glance at freedom.

This experience is an integral part of your visit to Palazzo Ducale.

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From the distance

Most people crowd to see the bridge from Ponte della Paglia, where Riva degli Schiavoni begins, but there's another angle from Ponte de Canonica, with the lagoon as a backdrop.

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