| 073 of 181. Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) connects the Doge's Palace to the historic prison across the canal. Prisoners that were tried in Venice were initially held inside the Doge's Palace. The prison was expanded to a building across the canal named the New Prison, and the Bridge of Sighs was constructed to shuttle passengers directly from their trial into their cells. According to legend, the name of the bridge comes from the sighs of prisoners who crossed the bridge on the way to their prison cells or the execution chamber, catching their last glimpses of Venice through the tiny windows. |
