Bridge Of Sighs

History of the Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was designed by Antonio Contino and was constructed of white Istrian stone in or around the 1600s. The bridge was built to take prisoners from their interrogation in the courts in the Doge’s Palace to the dark and windowless prison that would become their new home. An emblem on the bridge itself shows that it was constructed between the 16th and 17th centuries. The bridge became famous after poet Lord Byron mentioned, and named it, in his poem “Child Harold’s Pilgrimage.” He wrote in the poem that he stood on the Bridge of Sighs with a palace on one hand and a prison on the other hand.

Part of the bridge’s more recent history involves an art thief, Vincenzo Pipino. In 1991, Pipino took a tour of the Doge’s Palace which included crossing the bridge. He cleverly hid in one of the dark prison cells until nightfall, after which he headed back over the bridge and into the palace, where he stole a 16th-century painting of the Madonna and Child. It is not reported how Pipino managed to get out of the palace with his prize.

Legends of the bridge

The name Bridge of Sighs was thought to be because of the mournful sighs prisoners would give as they took their last glance of Venice and the outside world before being incarcerated. This legend appears to be unfounded, as the prisoners would have been able to see little from the latticed windows on the bridge. However, visitors can sigh over the bridge themselves as part of a tour of the Doge’s Palace. These days, the bridge has a more romantic side and it is believed that should a couple kiss under the bridge on a gondola ride, their love will last forever.

Architectural style of the Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was built in the Baroque style, following the design of Antonio Contin, whose uncle, Antonio Ponte, designed the famous Rialto Bridge in Venice. It was constructed as an 11-meter (36-foot) long bridge with a single arch. The bridge was built from Istrian Stone with a detailed exterior and with two windows with a lattice-work of stone bars on each side of the passageway across the river. A glimpse of the canal can be seen through those windows.

What is the best place to see the Bridge of Sighs?

The best places to see, and get great photos and selfies of the Bridge of Sighs from the outside are from the Ponte della Paglia and Canonica Bridges. Both bridges can easily be reached from St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco). If traveling to the area by vaporetto (a waterbus), the closest stop is S. Zaccaria.

To see the Bridge of Sighs from the inside, take the “Secret Itinerary” (Itinerari Segreti) tour of the Doge’s Palace, which lasts for 90 minutes. Please note that this tour is only available between June and September of each year and is in Italian. On the tour,​ you will also see the prison itself, including the gloomy, dark and antique cells and the torture chambers. One of the most convenient, and cheapest, ways to see the Bridge of Sighs is to pass under the bridge on a gondola or tourist boat ride.

Films and music citing the Bridge of Sighs

The romantic legend of the Bridge of Sighs can be seen truly in action in the 1979 romantic comedy film “A Little Romance.” The film stars Diane Lane, Sally Kellerman and Thelonious Bernard. The bridge is also mentioned in the 1936 drama film “Bridge of Sighs,” starring Onslow Stevens and Dorothy Tree. Another film of the same title was made in 2013 and is also a drama film starring Nicole Breaux, Marcus Lyle Brown, Stefano Capone.

The bridge also appears in the 1964 adventure film “The Avenger of Venice.” This film was adapted from the novel by the same name, written by author Michel Zevaco and starred Brett Halsey and Gianna Maria Canale. The poster for the film, seen here, gives the Italian title “Il Ponte Sospiri” and the bridge is pictured in the poster.

There is also a musical side to the bridge as it crops up in a 1974 album by renowned UK guitarist and songwriter, Robin Trower. The singer was previously with the band Procol Harum and named his second solo album and one of the tracks after the Bridge of Sighs. The Library of Congress in the USA also has notated sheet music relating to the bridge. The music is titled “Bridge of Sighs” and relates to sacred and religious songs played on the piano.

Visit the Bridge of Sighs on a tour of Venice, Italy

While staying in the historic and beautiful city of Venice in Italy, make sure you take the “Secret Itinerary” (Itinerari Segreti) tour of the Doge’s Palace. which allows you to pass across the bridge, just as prisoners did so many centuries ago, heading to the same prison cells. Alternatively, hop on a gondola and take the romantic route down the Rio di Palazzo (Palace River). If you are a romantic couple, make sure you kiss directly under the bridge to seal your eternal love!