The Bridge of Sighs, Venice Italy

The Bridge of Sighs got its name from Lord Byron in the 19th Ct, when he suggested that these condemned prisoners would “sigh” as they crossed it, peering out for their last look at Venice!

Although some legends say that it was called the Bridge of Sighs because it was a popular meeting point for lovers, the truth behind it is actually a sadder story.

Also known as Ponte dei Sospiri, it is one of the most important historical landmarks in Venice Italy today.

bridge of sighs, picture, image, venice, italy

Built at the beginning of the 17th Ct, it passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and is a totally enclosed Baroque style bridge.

It connects the Old prisons and Interrogation rooms of the Doge’s Palace, with the New prisons across the canal.

Now, let’s get back quick to that sadder truth behind its enchanting name…

As convicts crossed this bridge, the obscured view of Venice through its patterned stone-barred windows was basically their last before they were imprisoned.

DINING-ROOM TABLE TIDBIT: This is one of over 400 bridges that cross the 100 or so canals winding through Venice Italy. It’s also the only enclosed one in Venice.

The Bridge of Sighs got its name from Lord Byron in the 19th Ct, when he suggested that these condemned prisoners would “sigh” as they crossed it, peering out for their last look at Venice!

bridge of sighs photo, bridge of sighs image

This bridge's interior is actually divided into two different narrow passages, which are separated by a wall in the middle. Apparently this is so prisoners going by each other, or going in different directions, could not see each other.

One of the most famous prisoners to have crossed it was none other than Casanova, who was arrested in 1755 for spreading “anti-religious sentiment” in what was a devout religious republic of Venice. Just fifteen months later, Casanova too was one of the very few prisoners who managed to escape the Palace of Prisons.

DINING-ROOM TABLE TIDBIT: A local Venetian legend suggests that lovers are certain of eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset, whilst passing under the Bridge of Sighs.

3 ways to experience the Bridge of Sighs,
Venice Italy

1. If you are in a rush (which as a Mediterranean cruise guest you might be) you might just want to look at the Bridge of Sighs from the outside. To do that, walk past the facade of the Doge’s Palace facing the Venetian Lagoon and get onto the first bridge.

On the left-hand side you will always see the crowds trying to get a nice spot for taking photos of it.

Recently, facades around it have been covered with big scaffolding as the Doge’s Palace facade is being renovated. Try and disregard the fact that those scaffolds are covered with big advertising campaigns, and simply focus on the little bridge suspended up there between the two buildings.

2. If you take the "Secret Itineraries" tour of the Doge’s Palace, walking the Bridge and visiting the prisons is included. These tours do fill up quick in the Spring and Summer, so making a booking is a good idea if you do wish to do it. You can do that here.

3. Some of you might also want to have a romantic ride underneath it. To find out more about how to go about hiring a Venetian gondola when on a Mediterranean cruise in Europe, click here.

Here's some more tours that do include seeing the Doge's Palace and walking the Bridge. Make sure you check them out before booking your shore excursions aboard...

1. Venice Shore Excursion: Private Tour and Gondola Ride

Highlights: this is a family-friendly Venice shore excursion, for up to 6 people, private transportation, private guide, top sights of Venice, finishes with Bridge of Sighs, worry free, arrival on time for ship's departure
Departure: Coincides with your ship's arrival
Meeting Point: Your cruise dock
Read more...

2. Doge's Palace Guided Tour

Highlights: Skip the line and get to know Doge's palace, once the seat of power of Venice, admire artwork by Titian Veronese and Tintoretto, cross the Bridge of Sighs...
Departure:
November 1st 2015 to March 31st 2016: 10:30am
April 1st to October 31st 2016: 11:15am, 2:15pm (only in English)
Meeting Point: Central Venice
Read more...

3. Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour

Highlights: Priority access tickets to Doge's palace, rare access to Piombi attic prisons, walk the Bridge of Sighs, admire the Renaissance art, one and a half hour long tour
Departure:
8:30am
9:00am
Meeting Point: Ponte della Paglia Bridge
Read more...

And at the end, here's some of Lord Byron's lyrics referring to the bridge:

“I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs,
A palace and a prison on each hand;
I saw from out the wave her structures rise
As from the stroke of the enchanter's wand:
A thousand years their cloudy wings expand
Around me, and a dying Glory smiles
O'er the far times, when many a subject land
Look’d to the winged Lion's marble piles,

Where Venice sat in state, throned on her hundred isles!”

- Lord Byron: Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto IV. Stanza 1