The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is one of the most famous bridges in Venice, made in the Baroque style and included in the tops of the city's attractions.
Once prisoners sighed on the bridge, and now lovers are kissing under it.
The Bridge of Sighs is a hinged closed bridge that spans the narrow Palace Canal (Rio di Palazzo, Rio del Palazzo) and approximately at the level of the third floor connects two buildings on the banks of the canal - the Doge's Palace with the building of the New Prison (Prigoni Nuove).
Initially, the prison was located on the first floor of the palace, but in the second half of the 16th century, Antonio da Ponte ordered the construction of a New prison, erected by Antonio Contin around 1600 and connected to the palace by the Bridge of Sighs, which was built in 1614.
The Bridge of Sighs is clearly visible from the Straw Bridge (Ponte della Paglia) on the Slavyanskaya Embankment (Riva degli Schiavoni, Riva degli Schiavoni).
The closed Bridge of Sighs is built of Istrian stone in the Baroque style and has small windows with stone bars, as well as some decorations.
In appearance, the bridge is so elegant and airy that its purpose, like roads for prisoners, is rarely immediately remembered.
The bridge consists of two corridors separated by a wall. Corridors connect the prison with the halls of the state Inquisitions and the parliament in the Doge's Palace.
You can see the Bridge of Sighs from the inside by visiting the museum of the Doge's Palace, while walking along the route, which includes an inspection of the New Prison.
The name "Sighs" was given to the bridge because the view from the bridge was the last look of freedom that the convicts saw before their imprisonment, and sighed.
According to one of the legends, the bridge over the Palace Canal was first called the "bridge of Sighs" by Lord Byron in his novel "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage", written in the 19th century.
However, some guides, in order not to tell tourists sad stories about prison prisoners, came up with a new legend associated with the bridge of Sighs. According to legend, during sunset, sailing on a gondola under this bridge, you need to kiss your loved one, and then your feelings will mutually last forever, and you will be very happy in your life together.
In 1755, the famous Italian adventurer, traveler and writer Casanova, who escaped from prison in 1756, from which there had never been a single escape, was sentenced to serve time in the Doge's Palace prison.
Practical information
Website of the Doge's Palace Museum: palazzoducale.visitmuve.it.
Coordinates of the Bridge of Sighs: 45°26'02.0"N 12°20'27.0"E (45.433889, 12.340833).
All accommodation facilities in Venice, including in the historic city center and near the canals, can be viewed and booked here
