A little bit of history of this famous bridge, The name “Bridge of Sighs” was given by Lord Byron in the 19th century, inspired by the idea that prisoners would sigh as they took one last look at Venice through the bridge’s windows before being taken to their cells. Its a lovely place to photograph in one of my favourite cities. his beautiful, enclosed bridge, made of white limestone, spans the Rio di Palazzo and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.