The Bridge of Sighs in Venice

A true symbol of Venice, the Bridge of Sighs is a must-see for any visitor to the Serenissima.

While the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri in Italian) conjures up images of romantic moonlit gondola rides, its history is much darker and more somber than it seems!

Follow Captain Ulysses on a journey to discover this iconic monument of the City of Doges.

A Brief History of the Bridge of Sighs

The Origins of the Bridge of Sighs

Until the 16th century, Venice’s prisons (nicknamed “The Leads” due to their location under lead roofs) were inside the Doge’s Palace. But as the population grew and crime increased, the palace’s prisons became overcrowded.

To accommodate the growing number of prisoners, a new prison (nicknamed “The Wells”) was built next to the Palace, across the small canal called Rio de la Canonica.

To connect this new building to the Palace, architects Antonio Contino di Bernardino and Antonio Da Ponte—the architect of the Rialto Bridge—designed a fully enclosed bridge in 1602: the Bridge of Sighs.

Why Is It Called the Bridge of Sighs?

The famous “sighs” associated with the bridge are those of the condemned as they crossed it from the Doge’s Palace, where they were judged, to “The Wells,” the prisons where they would serve their sentences.

The small barred windows of the bridge offered prisoners a final glimpse of Venice before entering the darkness of their cells.

From Bridge of the Condemned to Bridge of Lovers

Given the grim origin of its name, how did the Bridge of Sighs become a romantic rendezvous spot in Venice?

Blame it partly on English poet Lord Byron, who wrote about the Bridge of Sighs in the 1810s:

I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs,
A Palace and a prison on each hand:
I saw from out the wave her structures rise
As from the stroke of the enchanter’s wand.

Lord Byron – Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage

Lord Byron’s romantic imagery has endured for centuries, reshaping the bridge’s reputation.

Visiting the Bridge of Sighs

The Exterior of the Bridge of Sighs

The best view of the Bridge of Sighs is from the Ponte della Paglia (Bridge of Straw) on the Riva degli Schiavoni (the promenade along St. Mark’s Basin).

Be prepared for crowds, as this iconic spot is always busy.

Alternatively, take a gondola ride along the Rio de la Canonica and pass under the bridge for a unique perspective.

The baroque Bridge of Sighs is made of white Istrian stone and marble. Tt’s the only fully enclosed bridge in Venice, designed to prevent prisoners from escaping by jumping into the canal below.

The bas-reliefs on the bridge’s sides depict a personification of justice and the coat of arms of Doge Marino Grimani (the 89^th Doge of Venice).

The Interior of the Bridge of Sighs

Access to the interior of the Bridge of Sighs is included with a ticket to the Doge’s Palace. For more information, check out Captain Ulysses’s detailed article on the Palace.

Much more austere (not to say sinister) than the exterior, the inside of the bridge is divided into two corridors separated by a wall, allowing prisoners to pass without seeing each other.

The four small barred windows offer views of the Venetian lagoon and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in the distance.

Practical Information

Tickets for the Bridge of Sighs

Access to the interior of the Bridge of Sighs is included with a ticket to the Doge’s Palace. This ticket also includes entry to the Correr Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Biblioteca Marciana, all located in St. Mark’s Square.

Prices are as follows:

• Full price: €30
• Reduced price (children 6-14, students, visitors over 65): €15
• Free for children under 6

⚠️ The Doge’s Palace is very popular! To avoid long lines, consider booking a skip-the-line ticket:

• skip-the-line ticket
• The Venice Museum Pass, which includes skip-the-line access to selected Venetian museums and monuments
• A combined ticket for the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica: skip-the-line + guided tour

Opening Hours of the Bridge of Sighs

You can admire the exterior of the Bridge of Sighs at any time of day or night (it’s especially stunning at night).

For interior visits, the hours are the same as those of the Doge’s Palace (open daily):

• From April 1 to October 31: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:00 PM)
• From November 1 to March 31: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)

Access to the Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is situated within the Doge’s Palace, a short walk from Saint Mark’s Basilica. The nearest vaporetto stops are San Zaccaria and San Marco.

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