The Bridge of Sighs: A Whisper from the Past

Hidden in plain sight between two of Venice’s most iconic landmarks—the Doge’s Palace and the old prison—stands the legendary Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), a small yet evocative piece of architecture that has captured imaginations for centuries.

Built in 1600 and designed by Antonio Contino, the bridge served a very practical purpose: it connected the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace to the Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons), the first building in the world designed to be a prison. The bridge’s name was coined much later, in the 19th century, by the Romantic poet Lord Byron, who suggested that prisoners would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of Venice’s beauty before descending into the darkness of their cells.

Despite its melancholic nickname, the bridge itself is a marble masterpiece of Baroque design. Enclosed and adorned with stone lattice windows, it appears serene and almost delicate, belying the grim fate of many who walked its path. The view from inside reveals a narrow slice of the Rio di Palazzo, with just enough light to remind prisoners of the world they were leaving behind.

Over the centuries, the Bridge of Sighs has become shrouded in myth and romance. One of the most enduring legends says that if lovers kiss beneath the bridge at sunset while drifting in a gondola, they will be granted eternal love. While this story is a far cry from the bridge’s original purpose, it’s become a beloved part of Venice’s charm—and a must-do for many couples visiting the city.

Historically, a number of notable figures are associated with the prisons and the bridge. Among them is Giacomo Casanova, the infamous Venetian adventurer and lover, who was imprisoned in the Doge’s Palace in 1755. In a daring escape worthy of legend, he managed to flee the prison—one of the very few known to have done so successfully.

Today, the Bridge of Sighs is more than a relic of Venice’s judicial past—it’s a symbol of the city’s layered history, combining beauty, sorrow, and mystery in equal measure. It draws visitors not just for its aesthetic appeal, but for the haunting stories it quietly holds.

If you’re visiting Venice, take a moment to admire this small but powerful bridge. Whether you view it from the canal below or walk its enclosed path as part of the Secret Itineraries Tour, the Bridge of Sighs offers a rare and moving connection to the city’s soul—a whisper from the past that still lingers in the Venetian air.