Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge is a stone-covered bridge at St John’s College. It spans the River Cam between the college’s Third Court and New Court. Built in 1831 by architect Henry Hutchinson, it follows the Gothic Revival style. The bridge’s name echoes Venice’s Bridge of Sighs, though the two share little else in design. It is a Grade I listed building and remains one of Cambridge’s most visited spots. Queen Victoria reportedly admired it more than any other place in the city. The bridge has a playful history as well as its architectural fame. In 1963, students dangled a 1928 Austin 7 beneath it using punts and ropes. A similar prank in 1968 involved a three-wheeled car. Former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visited the bridge three times, once in 1947 as a student. It also appeared in films such as Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The Theory of Everything. Pink Floyd featured it in the music video for “High Hopes.” Visitors find a narrow, covered passage with arched openings on both sides. The bridge links two courts of St John’s College across the Cam. Views from beneath show the river and college gardens framed by stone ribs. The Gothic detailing includes pointed arches and tracery along the sides. The bridge’s modest scale makes it easy to miss unless sought out. Its quiet presence belies the fame it has earned over nearly two centuries.