The Bridge of Sighs - Oxford Poster

Hertford Bridge which connects two parts of Hertford college in Oxford, England. This distinctive structure, completed in 1914, is a city landmark. Add your own text. Referred to as the Bridge of Sighs because of its supposed similarity to the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice. It was never intended to be a replica of the Venetian bridge; instead it bears a closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge in the same city. There is a false legend saying that many decades ago, a survey of the health of students was taken, and as Hertford College's students were the heaviest, the college closed off the bridge to force them to take the stairs, giving them extra exercise. However, if the bridge is not used, the students actually climb fewer stairs than if they do use the bridge.