The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) in Venice is a bridge that connects the city’s old prison in the Palazzo Ducale with the new prison across the Rio di Palazzo canal.
Bridge of Sighs Venice (Ponte dei Sospiri)
History and description
The Ponte dei Sospiri was designed and built by Antonio Contino in the early years of the 17th century. Construction, which would take two years, began in the year 1600.
The bridge was built according to a Renaissance style. It is made of white limestone and is 11 meters long. There are two, stone barred windows in the bridge, which is of course closed off.
When you pass under the bridge you can clearly see the many sculpted faces on the bridge. All but one of these look either angry or sad.
A visit to the Bridge of Sighs is included in the Palazzo Ducale ticket.
Why “Bridge of Sighs?”
The name is probably explained by the fact that the prisoners who walked across this bridge from one prison to another were to be either executed or would not see the light of day again for a very long time.
According to another theory, a couple kissing each other under the bridge at sunset could enjoy eternal love, which is worthy of a sigh or two.