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Stylized illustration of Bridge of Sighs in Venice - Goparoo

Bridge of Sighs

Discover Bridge of Sighs

Last updated on September 13, 2026
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Architecture

The bridge is built almost entirely of limestone, in a restrained Baroque style with a single arched span enclosing a covered passage rather than an open walkway. Two small barred windows on each side let in narrow slivers of light and view -- enough for a fleeting glimpse of the lagoon, not enough to see clearly out.

Inside, the passage is actually split into two separate corridors running side by side, keeping prisoners being led in different directions from crossing paths -- a detail invisible from outside, where the bridge simply reads as one continuous stone tunnel.

The Short History

How It Was Built and Evolved Over Time

Frequently Asked Questions

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