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

Bridge of Sighs

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

Palazzo Ducale Top 10 Classics

What makes it special

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.

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.

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!

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

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Your experience here

  • Walk inside one of the world's most famous bridges.
  • Retrace the path convicts took on their way to eternal imprisonment.
  • Feel a new sense of freedom once you're out!

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Three ways to see the bridge

View it from picturesque vantage points — or cross it yourself for a glimpse into its storied past.

From the inside

Bridge of Sighs : Crossing the bridge toward Palazzo Ducale

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.

From the distance

Most visitors gather at Ponte della Paglia — where Riva degli Schiavoni begins—for that classic view of the Bridge of Sighs.

But there's a quieter, equally striking angle from Ponte de Canonica, where the lagoon provides a beautiful backdrop.

Here’s that very bridge, seen from inside the Bridge of Sighs itself.

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

From underneath

Glide under the bridge and observe the intricately carved faces on the bottom arches, each expressing a different emotion.

What inspired the design

Antonio Da Ponte’s nephew designed the bridge, having first assisted his uncle in building the iconic Rialto Bridge.

What to see nearby

These top spots are just a short walk from Bridge of Sighs:

More like this

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