About
The Bridge of Sighs, known in Italian as the Ponte dei Sospiri, is a small enclosed bridge in Venice, Italy. It stands in the Veneto region and carries the address Ponte dei Sospiri, 30122 Venezia VE. It is one of the city's best-known landmarks, and it is usually seen from the water or from the nearby waterfront.
What you will see
The bridge is built of limestone and is enclosed on its sides, so it looks quite different from the open arches that cross Venice's canals. It links the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace with the New Prison on the other side of the canal. Its name comes from the sighs of prisoners who crossed it, a name that has stayed with it ever since.
Planning a visit
A visit to the Bridge of Sighs is a short, simple stop, best combined with a wider walk through the historic centre. Many visitors pair it with the Doge's Palace, which is directly connected to the bridge, so the two make a natural itinerary.
- Location: Venice, in the Veneto region of Italy.
- Best paired with: the Doge's Palace and the surrounding waterfront.
- Kind of visit: a brief, atmospheric stop rather than a long excursion.
Because the bridge sits in the busy heart of the city, plan to arrive with time to spare and to enjoy the canals, squares and waterside views that surround it.