The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is one of the most photographed spots in Venice — and one of the most romanticised, given that the bridge's actual history is considerably grimmer than its name suggests.
What it is and what it connects
Built around 1600, the enclosed stone bridge connects the Doge's Palace to the Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons), allowing prisoners to be transferred without street access directly to their cells.
Where the name comes from
The "sighs" supposedly refer to condemned prisoners catching their final glimpse of Venice through the bridge's small stone-latticed windows on their way to confinement. The name became popular in the early 19th century, partly thanks to Lord Byron, who romanticised it in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.
The view from inside
The bridge is only accessible from inside the Doge's Palace on a standard ticket. From the palace's interior crossing, you can peer through the latticed windows at the canal below. See our Doge's Palace guide for entry details.
Where to photograph it from
The best external view is from the Ponte della Paglia, the small bridge at the mouth of the Rio di Palazzo on the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront. Going very early in the morning or just before sunset significantly improves both the light and the elbow room.
Don't miss
The view from inside the Doge's Palace crossing and the view from outside on the Ponte della Paglia are genuinely different experiences — if you're visiting the palace, do both.