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The Doge's Palace (; Italian: Palazzo Ducale; Venetian: Pałaso Dogal) is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. It was built in 1340 and extended and modified in the following centuries. It became a museum in 1923 and is one of the 11 museums run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.
In 810, Doge Agnello Participazio moved the seat of government from the island of Malamocco to the area of the present-day Rialto, when it was decided a palatium duci (Latin for "ducal palace") should be built. However, no trace remains of that 9th-century building as the palace was partially destroyed in the 10th century by a fire. The following reconstruction works were undertaken at the behest of Doge Sebastiano Ziani (1172–1178). A great reformer, he would drastically change the entire layout of the St. Mark's Square. The new palace was built out of fortresses, one façade to the Piazzetta, the other overlooking the St. Mark's Basin. Although only few traces remain of that palace, some Byzantine-Venetian architecture characteristics can still be seen at the ground floor, with the wall base in Istrian stone and some herring-bone pattern brick paving.
Supposedly, through this bridge prisoners entered the infamous "New Prison" and the last time they could see the sunlight was whilst crossing it, therefore sighing at a sight they would never be able to contemplate ever again. That's the story behind this attraction. Cool, huh?
Senor AnonimoFeb 12, 2018
Every human being have a feeling inside how cruel he or she maybe. It reminds me that nobody wants to be called bad guy. The situation, the environment and circumstances pull them in that situation. After passing through the bridge many might have thought if a second chance is given, the life would be altogether different
Sukhdev Singh MinhasFeb 3, 2018
Visited this place during our free walking tour! Amazing view. I highly recommend taking walking tours if you wish to learn about the history of this place. It's quite astounding.
Abhishek PHOct 28, 2017
Nothing special... The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is a bridge located in Venice, northern Italy. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone, has windows with stone bars, passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was designed by Antonio Contino and was built in 1600. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge's name, given by Lord Byron as a translation from the Italian "Ponte dei sospiri" in the 19th century, comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells.
Mehrshad DehestaniFeb 2, 2018
Wanted to out a lock. But that been outlawed. But a sight to behold
Kamal Parmesar TimmalFeb 5, 2018
What can you say. Brilliant but a landmark site so always busy with tourists. Go early before cruise ships dock!!!
Chrisy DawsonMar 10, 2018
Nice place. Better to visit early morning if you want to avoid the congestion.
Dayan HerathMar 8, 2018
Accessibility 8/10 Historic value 8/10 Aesthetics 9/10 Overall 9/10
Avinash KambleApr 3, 2018
Has historical value bit not much to see... also very crowded.
Rafael Figueira PintoApr 17, 2018
Very nice sunny season in April. But a crowdy place.
Sanjay PrabhuApr 25, 2018
One of the most looked at places in Venice. This bridge is completely covered with marble stone and was used to transfer prisoners to the prison. Apparently the sighs of the prisoners used to be so prominent that this bridge was named after it...quite interesting.
SACHIT VARMAJun 3, 2018
It's just one of the things you have to see whilst in Venice. It's much more interesting from inside however, especially peering out at the hordes of people photographing it from outside. We got up early to go to the Doges palace so as to beat the crowds and it was so worth it.
Fiona BrittsMay 26, 2018
It has a brutal historical background. But a must see place when at St. Peters. Generally very crowded during the sunny day. One should plan to reach there early in the morning to have sufficient time to explore the entire area before it gets over crowded.
Kaushal ShastriMay 13, 2018
You have to pay 20 Euro to get into the Doge's palace to eventually walk through the Bridge of Sighs where prisoners were escorted to the dungeons. The big room was my highlight.
David ThatcherMay 21, 2018
The bridge joins the Doge’s palace to the prisons. It’s quite an eerie feeling crossing it and it’s apt name conjure up the feeling of abject terror the prisoners must have felt when being sent down. Cross it, and you are walking in the footsteps of Casanova. From outside of course it is a beautiful marble-faced piece of architecture, but such an iconic location that it’s hard to get a decent picture because of all the tourists taking selfies in front of it.
Martyn DaviesJun 14, 2018
Gorgeous sight and amazing photos to be taken. A must see sight when in Venice. Do not miss this
Arabella WithersJul 4, 2018
Some have commented that it is small - and you could miss it! It is. But it is a fantastic part of human history and beautiful architecture!
Gordon SteinJun 10, 2018
A nice bridge of beautiful stories. Better if you could go though the bridge itself rather than staying outside taking pics.
Gage TangJul 20, 2018
ehhh.. Okaaay. Nice but fillleddd w so many people.
Yacsiri Solis-AndayaAug 2, 2018
Supposedly, through this bridge prisoners entered the infamous "New Prison" and the last time they could see the sunlight was whilst crossing it, therefore sighing at a sight they would never be able to contemplate ever again. That's the story behind this attraction. Cool, huh?
Senor AnonimoFeb 12, 2018
Every human being have a feeling inside how cruel he or she maybe. It reminds me that nobody wants to be called bad guy. The situation, the environment and circumstances pull them in that situation. After passing through the bridge many might have thought if a second chance is given, the life would be altogether different
Sukhdev Singh MinhasFeb 3, 2018
Visited this place during our free walking tour! Amazing view. I highly recommend taking walking tours if you wish to learn about the history of this place. It's quite astounding.
Abhishek PHOct 28, 2017
Nothing special... The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is a bridge located in Venice, northern Italy. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone, has windows with stone bars, passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was designed by Antonio Contino and was built in 1600. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge's name, given by Lord Byron as a translation from the Italian "Ponte dei sospiri" in the 19th century, comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells.
Mehrshad DehestaniFeb 2, 2018
Wanted to out a lock. But that been outlawed. But a sight to behold
Kamal Parmesar TimmalFeb 5, 2018
What can you say. Brilliant but a landmark site so always busy with tourists. Go early before cruise ships dock!!!
Chrisy DawsonMar 10, 2018
Nice place. Better to visit early morning if you want to avoid the congestion.
Dayan HerathMar 8, 2018
Accessibility 8/10 Historic value 8/10 Aesthetics 9/10 Overall 9/10
Avinash KambleApr 3, 2018
Has historical value bit not much to see... also very crowded.
Rafael Figueira PintoApr 17, 2018
Very nice sunny season in April. But a crowdy place.
Sanjay PrabhuApr 25, 2018
One of the most looked at places in Venice. This bridge is completely covered with marble stone and was used to transfer prisoners to the prison. Apparently the sighs of the prisoners used to be so prominent that this bridge was named after it...quite interesting.
SACHIT VARMAJun 3, 2018
It's just one of the things you have to see whilst in Venice. It's much more interesting from inside however, especially peering out at the hordes of people photographing it from outside. We got up early to go to the Doges palace so as to beat the crowds and it was so worth it.
Fiona BrittsMay 26, 2018
It has a brutal historical background. But a must see place when at St. Peters. Generally very crowded during the sunny day. One should plan to reach there early in the morning to have sufficient time to explore the entire area before it gets over crowded.
Kaushal ShastriMay 13, 2018
You have to pay 20 Euro to get into the Doge's palace to eventually walk through the Bridge of Sighs where prisoners were escorted to the dungeons. The big room was my highlight.
David ThatcherMay 21, 2018
The bridge joins the Doge’s palace to the prisons. It’s quite an eerie feeling crossing it and it’s apt name conjure up the feeling of abject terror the prisoners must have felt when being sent down. Cross it, and you are walking in the footsteps of Casanova. From outside of course it is a beautiful marble-faced piece of architecture, but such an iconic location that it’s hard to get a decent picture because of all the tourists taking selfies in front of it.
Martyn DaviesJun 14, 2018
Gorgeous sight and amazing photos to be taken. A must see sight when in Venice. Do not miss this
Arabella WithersJul 4, 2018
Some have commented that it is small - and you could miss it! It is. But it is a fantastic part of human history and beautiful architecture!
Gordon SteinJun 10, 2018
A nice bridge of beautiful stories. Better if you could go though the bridge itself rather than staying outside taking pics.
Gage TangJul 20, 2018
ehhh.. Okaaay. Nice but fillleddd w so many people.
Yacsiri Solis-AndayaAug 2, 2018
Supposedly, through this bridge prisoners entered the infamous "New Prison" and the last time they could see the sunlight was whilst crossing it, therefore sighing at a sight they would never be able to contemplate ever again. That's the story behind this attraction. Cool, huh?
Senor AnonimoFeb 12, 2018
Every human being have a feeling inside how cruel he or she maybe. It reminds me that nobody wants to be called bad guy. The situation, the environment and circumstances pull them in that situation. After passing through the bridge many might have thought if a second chance is given, the life would be altogether different
Sukhdev Singh MinhasFeb 3, 2018
Visited this place during our free walking tour! Amazing view. I highly recommend taking walking tours if you wish to learn about the history of this place. It's quite astounding.
Abhishek PHOct 28, 2017
Nothing special... The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is a bridge located in Venice, northern Italy. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone, has windows with stone bars, passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was designed by Antonio Contino and was built in 1600. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge's name, given by Lord Byron as a translation from the Italian "Ponte dei sospiri" in the 19th century, comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells.
Mehrshad DehestaniFeb 2, 2018
Wanted to out a lock. But that been outlawed. But a sight to behold
Kamal Parmesar TimmalFeb 5, 2018
What can you say. Brilliant but a landmark site so always busy with tourists. Go early before cruise ships dock!!!
Chrisy DawsonMar 10, 2018
Nice place. Better to visit early morning if you want to avoid the congestion.
Dayan HerathMar 8, 2018
Accessibility 8/10 Historic value 8/10 Aesthetics 9/10 Overall 9/10
Avinash KambleApr 3, 2018
Has historical value bit not much to see... also very crowded.
Rafael Figueira PintoApr 17, 2018
Very nice sunny season in April. But a crowdy place.
Sanjay PrabhuApr 25, 2018
One of the most looked at places in Venice. This bridge is completely covered with marble stone and was used to transfer prisoners to the prison. Apparently the sighs of the prisoners used to be so prominent that this bridge was named after it...quite interesting.
SACHIT VARMAJun 3, 2018
It's just one of the things you have to see whilst in Venice. It's much more interesting from inside however, especially peering out at the hordes of people photographing it from outside. We got up early to go to the Doges palace so as to beat the crowds and it was so worth it.
Fiona BrittsMay 26, 2018
It has a brutal historical background. But a must see place when at St. Peters. Generally very crowded during the sunny day. One should plan to reach there early in the morning to have sufficient time to explore the entire area before it gets over crowded.
Kaushal ShastriMay 13, 2018
You have to pay 20 Euro to get into the Doge's palace to eventually walk through the Bridge of Sighs where prisoners were escorted to the dungeons. The big room was my highlight.
David ThatcherMay 21, 2018
The bridge joins the Doge’s palace to the prisons. It’s quite an eerie feeling crossing it and it’s apt name conjure up the feeling of abject terror the prisoners must have felt when being sent down. Cross it, and you are walking in the footsteps of Casanova. From outside of course it is a beautiful marble-faced piece of architecture, but such an iconic location that it’s hard to get a decent picture because of all the tourists taking selfies in front of it.
Martyn DaviesJun 14, 2018
Gorgeous sight and amazing photos to be taken. A must see sight when in Venice. Do not miss this
Arabella WithersJul 4, 2018
Some have commented that it is small - and you could miss it! It is. But it is a fantastic part of human history and beautiful architecture!
Gordon SteinJun 10, 2018
A nice bridge of beautiful stories. Better if you could go though the bridge itself rather than staying outside taking pics.
Gage TangJul 20, 2018
ehhh.. Okaaay. Nice but fillleddd w so many people.
Yacsiri Solis-AndayaAug 2, 2018
Wander is a travel search engine that allows you to find the perfect travel destination that fits your budget and preferences.