Bridge · Italy · Still standing

Bridge of Sighs

Ponte dei Sospiri

The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is an enclosed white‑stone bridge in Venice that links the Doge's Palace to the Prigioni Nuove across the Rio di Palazzo. Built in the early 17th century, it is a short, vaulted passage with small stone-latticed windows and sculptural decoration on its facades.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1614

Its prime

1603

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1603

What Bridge of Sighs looked like in its prime.

A compact, fully enclosed bridge of white Istrian limestone spanning the narrow Rio di Palazzo on a single jolted arch. Both facades are symmetrical, topped by a voluted roofline, with two quatrefoil-style openwork windows on each side bearing four eight‑leaf floral patterns. The arch moulding carries a row of eleven carved heads (central one a lion) and reclining figures in the spandrels; the central panel displays the Doge Marino Grimani's coat of arms. Approximately eleven metres wide, it abuts an arcaded palace and a rusticated prison wall.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1603.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Bridge of Sighs, including 1 interior: interior gangway (one side) looking along corridor. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Beneath the arch (gondola level)South façade from Riva degli SchiavoniLong view along Rio di PalazzoNorth façade close-up with coat of armsUnderside of arch and spandrelsPrigioni Nuove (prison) façade and junctionInterior gangway (one side) looking along corridor

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