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Explore the Bridge of Sighs: Connecting Doge's Palace to New Prisons
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
- Walk through the most legendary Venetian neighborhoods and tour St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, all with an expert guide.
- Don't waste time in queues and discover biblical sculptures and geometric marble inlays within the 5-domed basilica of St. Mark.
- Understand the political relevance of the Doge's Palace as you admire artworks like Federico Zuccari's Barbarossa kisses the Pope's foot in lavish rooms like the Great Council Chamber.
- Enjoy dedicated attention in your preferred language – choose between an English, Italian, German, Spanish or French-speaking guide.
- Your exploration doesn't just stop there! This ticket also gives you access to treasures of the Biblioteca Marciana and the Archaeological Museum.
- Walk through the most legendary Venetian neighborhoods and tour St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, all with an expert guide.
- Don't waste time in queues and discover biblical sculptures and geometric marble inlays within the 5-domed basilica of St. Mark.
- Understand the political relevance of the Doge's Palace as you admire artworks like Federico Zuccari's Barbarossa kisses the Pope's foot in lavish rooms like the Great Council Chamber.
- Enjoy dedicated attention in your preferred language – choose between an English, Italian, German, Spanish or French-speaking guide.
- Your exploration doesn't just stop there! This ticket also gives you access to treasures of the Biblioteca Marciana and the Archaeological Museum.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with skip-the-line entry
- Expert English, Italian, German, Spanish, or French-speaking guide
- Headsets for groups of 10+ people
Access to:
- Correr Museum
- Marciana Library
- National Archeological Museum
- Access to the Pala d'Oro (as per option selected)
Exclusions
- Access to the Old Prisons of Piombi and Pozzi
- Both venues are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
St. Mark's Basilica
- Tip: Try spotting designs of foxes, peacocks, doves, roosters and rhinoceros in the marble inlays while you’re walking around St. Mark's Basilica.
- Strict dress code: All guests must wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees to enter the basilica.
- Keep your camera tucked away – photography is strictly not allowed at the venue.
- A ramp is available at the Porta del Fiori (Door of Flowers) entrance on the left-hand side of the basilica.
- The Museum on the upper floor of the basilica is served by both a lift and stair lifts.
Doge's Palace
- Tip: Keep an eye out for the statues of Poseidon and Mars at the Staircase of the Giants in Doge's Palace.
- Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography, tripods, selfie sticks, and any type of commercial photography is a no-go inside the venue.
- Please note that the Secret Itineraries, Prisons and Armory are not wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- An in-depth experience of the Doge's Palace awaits on this expertly crafted tour in the language of your choice.
- Walk through opulent gold-ceiling rooms as you hear their unbelievable stories – like the Council of Ten Chamber that used to house Venice's secret police!
- Look out for detailed sculptures that adorn the façade, like Noah's Drunkenness by Filippo Calendario, and Adam and Eve by Antonio Rizzo.
- Short on time and have an itch for the unordinary? Select the mysteries and secrets tour to explore the Piombi and Pozzi prisons, and uncover dark conspiracies!
- After your tour, explore the 3 museums in St. Mark's Square on your own: Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and the Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.
- An in-depth experience of the Doge's Palace awaits on this expertly crafted tour in the language of your choice.
- Walk through opulent gold-ceiling rooms as you hear their unbelievable stories – like the Council of Ten Chamber that used to house Venice's secret police!
- Look out for detailed sculptures that adorn the façade, like Noah's Drunkenness by Filippo Calendario, and Adam and Eve by Antonio Rizzo.
- Short on time and have an itch for the unordinary? Select the mysteries and secrets tour to explore the Piombi and Pozzi prisons, and uncover dark conspiracies!
- After your tour, explore the 3 museums in St. Mark's Square on your own: Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and the Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of Doge's Palace with skip-the-line entry
- English, German, French, Spanish or Italian-speaking guide
- Headsets
- Access to:
- Express 'mysteries and secrets' guided tour of Doge's Palace (if selected)
- Access to the Old Prisons of Piombi and Pozzi (if selected)
- Tip: Capture stunning views of the Grand Canal from the palace's balconies, offering a unique perspective of Venice's iconic waterways.
- Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography, tripods, selfie sticks, and any type of commercial photography is a no-go inside the venue.
- Please note that the Secret Itineraries, Prisons and Armoury are not accessible by wheelchair and pram/stroller.
- Ramps and elevators are available at the venue for easy access.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Explore the best of Venice as you skip the lines to St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
- Glide through historic canals on a 30-minute gondola ride, led by an expert gondolier who shares captivating stories.
- Learn all about the history of St. Mark's and the political significance of the Doge's Palace from an expert English-speaking guide.
- Pick what suits your plan; a half or full-day trip. Extend your journey into the colorful towns of Murano and Burano Islands.
- With an optional visit to the islands, be ready to immerse in the artisanal magic of glass-blowing and lace-making workshops.
Explore the best of Venice as you skip the lines to St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
- Glide through historic canals on a 30-minute gondola ride, led by an expert gondolier who shares captivating stories.
- Learn all about the history of St. Mark's and the political significance of the Doge's Palace from an expert English-speaking guide.
- Pick what suits your plan; a half or full-day trip. Extend your journey into the colorful towns of Murano and Burano Islands.
- With an optional visit to the islands, be ready to immerse in the artisanal magic of glass-blowing and lace-making workshops.
Inclusions
- Full/half-day tour of Venice (as per option selected)
- Guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with skip-the-line entry
- Guided tour of Doge's Palace with skip-the-line entry
- Expert English-speaking guide
- 30-minute shared gondola ride
- Round-trip transfers to/from Murano & Burano Islands (optional)
- Glass-blowing demonstration (optional)
- Lace-making demonstration (optional)
Half-day tour
- St Marks Basilica
- Doge's Palace
- 30-minute gondola ride
Full-day tour
- St Marks Basilica
- Doge's Palace
- 30-minute gondola ride
- Glass-blowing demonstration at Murano Island
- Lace-making demonstration at Burano Island
- Tip: Take advantage of the local expert knowledge! Request your gondolier to point out the lesser-known sights along the canals.
St. Mark's Basilica
- Strict dress code: All guests must wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees to enter the basilica.
- Keep your camera tucked away – photography is strictly not allowed at the venue.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- A ramp is available at the Porta del Fiori (Door of Flowers) entrance on the left-hand side of the basilica.
- The Museum on the upper floor of the basilica is served by both a lift and stair lifts.
Doge's Palace
- Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography, tripods, selfie sticks, and any type of commercial photography is a no-go inside the venue.
- Please note that the Secret Itineraries, Prisons and Armory are not wheelchair accessible.
Venice Gondola Ride
- Seating arrangements within a gondola may vary for balance and safety reasons, it may not be possible to sit next to your partner.
- The gondola ride is not accessible for wheelchair users.
- Please note that the tour may not operate under exceptional high tide conditions or during religious functions at the basilica. In the event of cancellation, your tour will either be rescheduled or refunded for your convenience.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs
Top things to do in Venice
Bridge of Sighs in a nutshell
- Year of construction: 1600 - 1603
- Architect: Antonio Contino (believed to be)
- Material: White limestone
- Must-see highlights: Intricate Baroque architecture, enclosed walkway with small, barred windows. Famously associated with the last sights of prisoners.
- Function: Connected the Doge's Palace interrogation rooms to the New Prison
- Unique facts: Built in the 17th century, the bridge is named for the sighs of condemned prisoners catching their last view of Venice. It was designed by Antonio Contino, the nephew of the architect of the Rialto Bridge.
Your Bridge of Sighs access explained
Standard entry
Guided tours
Secret itineraries tour
Is Bridge access included?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Why go for it?
This is a budget-friendly option to cross the historic bridge and see the New prisons —one of the stellar highlights of Doge's Palace—at your own pace.
Elevate your visit with a guided tour. You local guide will share fascinating stories about the bridge's origins, its role in Venetian justice, and the legends surrounding it.
If you wish to explore in-depth, this exclusive tour is specially curated to delve deeper into the lesser-known stories and intriguing secrets of the bridge, haunting prisons, secret passages, offices, and the notorious interrogation rooms.
Recommended tickets
Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Tickets
Doge's Palace Guided Tour
Architectural features | Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs, despite its relatively small size, boasts a captivating design that blends functionality with Baroque flair. Here's a closer look at its key architectural features:
Material used
Constructed from white Istrian limestone, from Istria, modern day Croatia. It was a popular choice for building materials in Venice during that era due to its durability and elegant appearance.
Enclosed passageway
Unlike most bridges, the Bridge of Sighs is fully enclosed, creating a sense of isolation. This design likely aimed to maintain prisoner privacy and security during their transfer.
Barred windows
The bridge has two small, arched windows on each side, fitted with intricately designed stone bars. These windows offer limited views of the San Giorgio and the Lagoon, allowing light to filter through the stone lattice.
Single arch design
The 11 m long bridge features a single, lightly curved arch that spans the Rio di Palazzo canal. This design element not only provided structural support but also contributed to the bridge's overall aesthetic appeal.
Macaron faces
The bridge features macaron faces on the bottom arch, which are a characteristic of the Italian Baroque style, intended to ward off evil spirits. These faces depict a range of emotions, with 10 showing fear and sadness, while only one is smiling.
Integration with surrounding architecture
The design of the bridge complements the architectural styles of the Doge's Palace and the New Prison, seamlessly integrating with their Gothic and Renaissance elements.
Legends and myths of Bridge of Sighs
Origin of the name
The evocative name, credited to Lord Byron, the famous Romantic poet, comes from the legend that prisoners, crossing from the Doge's Palace interrogation rooms to the New Prison, would sigh deeply as they took one final look at Venice through the bridge's small windows, filled with sorrow and longing before their imprisonment or execution.
The romantic legend
According to a romantic myth, lovers who kiss under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset, as the bells of St. Mark's Campanile ring, will be granted eternal love and happiness. This belief has made the bridge a popular spot for couples seeking to seal their love.
Casanova's connection
The legendary Giacomo Casanova, famed for his romantic exploits, briefly added to the Bridge of Sighs' mystique. Though he wasn't imprisoned via the bridge, his daring escape from the Doge's Palace in 1755 fueled the romantic image of the bridge, further cemented by his own accounts.
Frequently asked questions about the Bridge of Sighs
What is the significance of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice's history?
Since the Bridge of Sighs was built to connect the Doge's Palace to the New Prisons, serving as a passageway for prisoners it played a crucial role in the functioning of the Venetian justice system and is now a symbol of the city's rich history and architecture.
Are there any guided tours that include a visit to the Bridge of Sighs?
Indeed! There are exclusive guided tours like the "Secret Itinerary" tour, which lets visitors explore areas of the palace and prison not typically accessible to the public, including the Bridge of Sighs. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour provides insights into the history, architecture, and legends surrounding the bridge, offering a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
Is the Bridge of Sighs illuminated at night?
The Bridge of Sighs itself isn't directly illuminated at night. However, the surrounding area of the Doge's Palace is often lit up, casting an enchanting glow on the bridge. You might be able to capture a picturesque image with the bridge bathed in the soft light of nearby buildings.
What is the best way to reach the Bridge of Sighs from other parts of Venice?
While you can't enter the bridge itself without a special tour, getting to the Doge's Palace complex, where the bridge is located, is easy. Most visitors rely on vaporetto (water buses). Depending on your starting point, lines 1, 2, 5.1, or 4.1 will get you close to the San Zaccaria stop, a short walk from the palace.
How has the bridge's perception changed over time?
Initially, the bridge served a practical function within the Venetian justice system. Over time, the "Bridge of Sighs" name emerged, likely linked to a romantic legend about prisoners sighing. Today, the bridge is a popular tourist attraction, symbolizing both Venetian history and a touch of melancholy.
What was the daily life of prisoners like after crossing the bridge?
Conditions in the prison (Prigioni Nuove) varied depending on the severity of the crime. Some prisoners faced harsh conditions, while others might have had more privileges. However, crossing the Bridge of Sighs undoubtedly marked a turning point, signifying the start of their confinement.
Who were some of the most popular prisoners in Doge's Palace prisons?
The Doge's Palace housed a fascinating mix of prisoners. Casanova, the infamous escapee, rubbed shoulders with Marco Polo (possibly) and political prisoners like Pellico. Even a Doge, Marino Faliero, met his demise there. Garibaldi, a future Italian unifier, also spent a brief stint within its walls.
