A covered covered bridge from 1574 connects the interrogation room of the Doge's Palace with the prison building on the other side of the canal. Ponte dei Sospiri translates as "Bridge of Sighs" and earned its name from the cries of the prisoners crossing it.

The bridge is 11 metres long and made of white limestone. You can also walk right inside the bridge during a visit to the museum in the Doge's Palace.

The best view of the Ponte dei Sospiri is from another bridge, the Ponte della Paglia, spanning the canal on the seafront promenade.