User manual
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Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is an enclosed bridge
constructed in white limestone that passes over the
Rio di Palazzo, connecting the old city prison to the
interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. Designed by
Antonio Contino, the nephew of Antonio da Ponte who
created the Rialto Bridge, the bridge was completed in
1602.
The bridge’s romantic name is thought to refer to the
sighs of convicts as they saw their last view of Venice
before being taken to their prison cells. In reality, very
little of the city could be seen through the stone grills
covering the windows and the majority of prisoners at
that time were small-time criminals.
Bridge of Sighs
[ “I stood in Venice, on the
Bridge of Sighs, A palace
and a prison on each hand.” ]
LordByron
BridgeofSighs