The Bridge of Sighs, a popular tourist site in Venice, will soon undergo the fate of many Italian tourist sites - scaffolding. The bridge connected the opulent Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) on St. Mark's Square with the prison of the Doges, in use through the 18th century. It's expected that the scaffolding for restoration work will be in place for three years, according to ANSA news.

Visitors touring the Doge's Palace walk on the Bridge of Sighs to the prison but the most famous view of the bridge is from the outside. A popular tradition is to kiss your lover while riding in a gondola under the bridge, as made famous in the movie A Little Romance (compare prices).

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_{Bridge of Sighs Photo © 2002 by James Martin, Europe Travel}