The Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs (Italian: Ponte dei Sospiri) is located in Venice, Italy.   Famous world-wide, the enclosed bridge is made of white limestone, features windows with stone bars and passes over the Rio di Palazzo.  The bridge connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace.

Designed by Antonio Contino and built in 1600, the view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment.  During the 19th Century, Lord Byron named the bridge as a translation from the Italian phrase "Ponte dei sospiri".  This translation 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.

The image below was shot during the blue hour period early in the morning with limited light on my back.

Shooting details: Hasselblad H6D50C, 35-90mm @ 60mm, ISO 200, f/11 at 16 seconds.

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