Aiton’s Encyclopedia
A Practical Reference Library in Five Volumes — keyed from the public-domain original
Home · Letter B · Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs

a bridge of Venice spanning a narrow canal between the ducal palace and the prison. It was constructed in 1597. It is a graceful structure over thirty feet above the water. It is inclosed at the side, and has two arched passageways through which prisoners were conveyed to trial or led to execution. See Venice

I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs,
A palace and a prison on each hand.
--Byron, Childe Harold.
Volume I · Aiton’s Encyclopedia