Italy

How to visit the Bridge of Sighs in Venice: curiosities, prices

Bridge of Sighs in Venice
Bridge of Sighs in Venice

One of the most emblematic and well-known corners of Venice is Bridge of Sighs, and it is possible that seeing it will be one of the objectives of your trip to the very touristy Italian city.

In fact, there are many tourists who come to the place where it is located every day of the year to photograph it.

Now, surely there are few people who know how to cross the Bridge of Sighs, which I already told you is possible.

In this short article curiosities for the history and all the information you need to know so you don't miss one of the most tourist sites in Venice on your trip to the city of canals.

Where is the Bridge of Sighs in Venice

El Bridge of Sighs You will find it in a very narrow canal that runs along the rear façade of the Ducal Palace for the St. Mark's Square.

I inform you that perhaps at first it will disappoint you due to its narrow location, apart from how crowded with tourists the bridge may be from where you can see it.

Why is it called Bridge of Sighs?

Ponte della Paglia from where you can see the Bridge of Sighs in Venice
Ponte della Paglia from where you can see the Bridge of Sighs in Venice

El Bridge of Sighs It was built in 1614 to join the building of the Ducal Palace with the building of the new dungeons.

Su name comes precisely from the supposed sighs made by the inmates who were condemned and transferred to the adjacent prison, when they saw the last image of the Venice lagoon and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.

How and where to see the Bridge of Sighs in Venice

To view externally the Venice Bridge of Sighs, Since the St. Mark's Square you have to go to the façade of the Ducal Palace which overlooks the lagoon, where you can also access the visit to its interior.

In front of Ducal Palace you arrive at Paglia Bridge, a construction originally from the year 1360, although its current structure dates from the mid-XNUMXth century.

All the tourists gather on this bridge to be able to see the Bridge of Sighs crossing over the narrow canal that connects the palace buildings and the dungeons.

Interior of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice
Interior of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice

How to visit the interior of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice

But do you know that you also have the possibility of cross inside the Bridge of Sighs?.

Indeed, in your visit of the Doge's Palace, once you have toured the large official halls, you will begin the so-called “secret itinerary” that will allow you to follow the route that the prisoners took.

On this tour you will be able to visit the Inquisition Room, Torture ChamberAnd also cross inside the Bridge of Sighs, a really dark, almost gloomy passageway, with two separate corridors, from where you will reach the building of the Prison.

From the famous bridge you can look out of the small windows and have the same feeling that the prisoners who crossed it had.

Built the Prison at the beginning of the 17th century, on this visit you will be able to imagine the difficult life of the prisoners condemned to punish their crimes in these gloomy dungeons.

About the Author

José Luis Sarralde

Journalist and traveler throughout his life, José Luis Sarralde is the founder of Guías Viajar, where since 2008 he has been capturing his travel experiences around the world, specializing in cultural and scenic destinations in Spain and Europe.

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