Bridge of Sighs: History, Legends and Curiosities about the Bridge of Lovers

If you plan to visit Venice, you can’t help but stroll past the Bridge of Sighs.

The mysterious and dreamy appeal of this architecture is linked to the history and legends surrounding it, as well as the charm of its Baroque forms.

In this post I will talk about the reasons that led to its construction, why it is called this way, its architectural style and the legends and curiosities surrounding it.

But before we begin, a brief preamble: if you wish to visit the Lovers’ Bridge, you should know that you can only do so during the tour of the Doge’s Palace Venice. The tour can only be booked, and given the large number of people (especially in high season), it is recommended to buy tickets online.

Bridge of Sighs: history and description

The bridge was built in the early 17th century, at the same time as the renovation of the prisons in the Doge’s Palace in Venice, following the great fire that devastated the palace in 1577.

The construction was commissioned in 1602 by Doge Marino Grimani to the Italo-Swiss architect Antonio Contin, nephew of Antonio Da Ponte, to whom we owe the construction of the Rialto Bridge.

The project involved moving the prisons away from the ground floor of the Doge’s Palace and connecting them to the latter by means of a bridge.

The old prison cells – called ”Pozzi e Piombi” (Wells and Leads) – were in fact located in the attic and ground floor of the Doge’s Palace in cramped and unlivable spaces, which is why it was decided to construct a new building of modern architectural conception on the opposite bank of the Rio di Palazzo.

This was one of the first buildings in the world designed with the specific function of a prison.

Bridge of Sighs Venice: interior and architecture

The structure was conceived as a hanging passage, completely enclosed to prevent convicts from escaping.

Inside, the space consisted of two narrow corridors separated by a thick wall. The first led to the Sala della Magistratura, while the second led to the Sala dell’Avogadria and the Parlatorio.

A service staircase then led to the old prisons inside the Doge’s Palace. These did not fall into disuse following the construction of the New Prisons, as evidenced by the story ‘The Story of My Escape from the Piombi‘ by the famous writer Giacomo Casanova, who in 1756 was the only one to succeed in escaping from Venetian prisons.

On the outside, the style is fully Baroque and is distinguished by the highly expressive play of white Istrian stone facades.

At the top, the lowered arch bridge is crowned by a mixtilinear pediment, below which is a bas-relief depicting Justice, flanked by two lions.

The central band, punctuated by ashlar Doric pilasters, is occupied by the coat of arms of Doge Marino Grimani, flanked at the sides by two windows with thick stone tracery; these openings did not offer a real view of the city but only small glimpses and did not allow the condemned to be seen from outside.

The windows are replicated blind at both ends.

In the lower part, the joints of the ashlars of the lowered arch are concealed by masks, while at the two upper ends there are two bas-reliefs with anthropomorphic figures.

But what can be seen from the windows of the Bridge of Sighs?

In conceiving the Bridge of Sighs, Antonio Contin imagined a closed structure, equipped on each side with a pair of tiny windows, obtained by perforating the marble used for the construction.

Through these two openings stands an unmistakable panorama: the enchanting island of San Giorgio Maggiore. On this small island stand the church and bell tower that share its name, and the whole is framed by the surrounding lagoon.

This vision remains imprinted in the heart, becoming an indelible memory. This image takes on an even deeper value when one reflects on the fact that it is identical to the one offered to the eyes of prisoners crossing the Bridge of Sighs many centuries ago.

Why is it called the Bridge of Sighs?

The epithet ‘of Sighs‘, which made the Bridge famous, originated in the 19th century. It was coined by the Romantic poet Lord Byron in his poem ‘The Pilgrimage of Childe Harold‘.

The name refers to the melancholy of the condemned prisoners who, once they had crossed the bridge and escorted the city through the small openings in the windows, would have sighed at the thought of saying goodbye to their freedom.

The poet stayed in Venice from November 1816 to 1819 to escape the rumours of his profligate life and numerous debts.

The autobiographical poem tells of the travels and reflections of a young man fleeing a dissolute life and seeking redemption in foreign lands.

In the last chapter, the protagonist arrives in Venice and the author himself writes in the first person:

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.

It was thanks to this poem that the term ‘Bridge of Sighs’ crossed national borders, reaching as far as foreign countries and being given the appellation ‘Bridge of Sighs‘ by the English.

In the same way Lord Byron did, it is possible for you to climb this bridge and contemplate Venice from the same perspective.

I recommend you take a photo here and keep it with you, as it will be one of the most precious memories of your stay in Venice.

Bridge of Sighs Venice: curiosities and legends

Facets of Justice

If you have the time, I recommend observing the sculptures in the corner of the Doge’s Palace overlooking the Bridge of Sighs. You will notice that all the high reliefs are related to themes of Justice.

The most famous is certainly the drunken Noah by Filippo Calendario.

The work depicts Noah’s drunkenness, a biblical episode that tells how one of Noah’s sons, seeing his father lying drunk, naked and dishevelled, immediately went to tell his brothers, disrespecting his father. The other sons immediately ran to cover their father with a cloak, walking backwards to avoid seeing his nakedness. The message is to remind those with the power of judgement of the importance of mercy.

The second episode represents the Judgement of Solomon.

The biblical episode tells of two prostitutes who lived under the same roof and both have a newborn child, one of whom dies. The two women thus come before the King, each claiming maternity of the surviving child.

The King then, having heard the two women, responded by ordering that a sword be brought to him to split the living child in two. The child’s birth mother, distraught at the prospect of seeing her child eviscerated begged the king to give the living child to the other woman, while the other woman agreed to split the child, revealing her bad faith.

The work depicts the king being advised by Holy Wisdom before passing his sentence.

The last sculptural cycle related to Justice is that of Adam and Eve, banished from the Garden of Eden by the Archangel Gabriel, represented as the inflexible divine judgement.

The Legend of the Lovers’ Bridge in Venice Italy

Although the Bridge was born with the sad function of a passageway leading prisoners to their places of imprisonment, a legend in Venice makes it a symbol of romance.

It is said that if you pass under the bridge in a gondola and exchange a kiss with your beloved at the moment when St Mark’s bell tower tolls its bells, you will win eternal love.

This legend makes it the ‘lovers’ bridge‘ par excellence, photographed and visited by hundreds of tourists who cross the picturesque view in which it is set aboard typical Venetian boats.

Its fame as a lovers’ bridge has also made it the star of the scene in romantic-themed films, including ‘The Bridge of Sighs‘ directed by Mario Bonnard and ‘A Little Romance‘ starring Laurence Oliver and Diane Lane.

If you too would like to win eternal love with your sweetheart, you can book a private gondola ride under the Bridge of Lovers.

Imitations around the world

As with other Venetian masterpieces, the fame and beauty of the Bridge of Sighs have made it the subject of several copies and imitations around the world.

In fact, we find two examples of imitations of the Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge and Oxford, UK, and one in Lima, Peru.

Useful information

Where is it located and how to get to the Bridge of Sighs?

The bridge is located near St Mark’s Square, and once you arrive in Venice you can reach it on foot or by vaporetto:

• From Piazzale Roma: the best way to reach it is by vaporetto; I recommend using line 1 with a stop at Vallaresso; alternatively, you can consider line 2 with a stop at Giardinetti, or lines 5.1 or 4.1 with a stop at San Zaccaria.
• From Venice Santa Lucia railway station: the most convenient way to get there is still by water bus; I suggest line 1 with a stop at San Zaccaria, or line 2 with a stop at Giardinetti.
• From Lido di Venezia: you have several options by vaporetto: you can choose line 1 with a stop at Vallaresso, or line 5.2 with a stop at San Zaccaria.

How to visit the Bridge of Sighs?

You can access the interior of the Bridge of Sighs during the tour of the Doge’s Palace.

The tour can only be done by prior booking. In addition to the bridge, the visit allows access to the interior of the palace and the prisons.
Due to the large crowds (especially in high season), it is recommended to buy tickets online.

What is the best period to visit the Bridge of Sighs?

Venice constantly attracts a lot of tourists, and one of its most popular attractions is the Bridge of Sighs. Therefore, if you wish to avoid the thickest crowds, it is advisable to plan your visit to this bridge wisely.

The best day and season to visit the Bridge of Sighs depends on your personal preferences.

Keep in mind that Venice is fascinating at any time of year, but if you wish to avoid the high season, the autumn and winter months may be more suitable.

Remember that spring and autumn are the busiest periods in Venice (especially April and May). The winter period, on the other hand, is the calmest.

From where to photograph the Bridge of Sighs?

The best vantage points for admiring and photographing it are certainly on the nearby Ponte della Paglia on the Riva degli Schiavoni or from the Ponte della Canonica.

What is the best time of day to photograph the Bridge of Sighs?

Some might raise the objection that the optimal time to appreciate the beauty of Venice is at sunset, attracted by its many romantic hues.

However, a drawback associated with this choice is that at sunset, most Venetians spill out onto the streets to contemplate the various romantic scenes the city has to offer.

If crowds are not a problem for you, the end of the day is a good time to head to the Bridge of Sighs and admire it from the outside.

On the other hand, if you prefer to enjoy a quieter atmosphere, our heartfelt recommendation is to opt for a sunrise outing.

Despite its reputation for being crowded most of the year, Venice still reserves surprising moments of tranquillity in the morning, even before the day takes over.

If you can overcome the temptation to bed down, you will be rewarded with an extraordinary view from the Ponte della Paglia, just as the first rays of the sun peek over the rooftops, offering an unparalleled view of the Bridge of Sighs.

Is the Bridge of Sighs accessible to the disabled?

Due to the limited size of the spaces and the presence of stairs, the Bridge of Sighs is not accessible to people with disabilities.

Frequently asked questions about the Bridge of Sighs

Why is the Bridge of Sighs famous?

The fame of the Bridge of Sighs is linked to its history – it was in fact the passageway that prisoners crossed to access their prison cells – but also to the romantic legends that see it as the ‘bridge of love’ par excellence, as well as to the charm of its Baroque architecture.

How does one access the Bridge of Sighs?

The Bridge of Sighs is part of the Doge’s Palace complex in Venice, being the link between the latter and the city’s New Prisons. You can access it, upon reservation, during the visit of the Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries.

Where is the Lovers’ Bridge in Venice Italy?

The nickname ‘Ponte degli Innamorati‘ (Lovers’ Bridge) is nothing more than a second appellation given to the ‘Bridge of Sighs‘, located in St Mark’s Square in Venice.

Conclusions

Here we are at the end of this article on the Bridge of Sighs, in which I have told you about its history, its architectural features and the legends that make it a symbol of romance, both in the literary and sentimental sense, to the point of being replicated in different parts of the world.

If you have any doubts or curiosity, leave a comment below, I will be happy to answer you!

Photo credits:

• Drunk Noah: Pic by alessandro via Flickr
• Judgment of Solomon: Pic by Giovanni Dall’Orto via Wikimedia
• In a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs: Pic by Cecilie Johnsen via Unsplash
• Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge: Wikimedia
• Hertford Bridge in Oxford: Wikimedia
• Puente de los Suspiros Lima: Wikimedia