Castel Sant Angelo

Attraction, Historic, Museum
  • Castel Sant Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum for theEmperor Hadrian but was later transformed into a big castle where popes couldseek refuge at turbulent times.
Bathroom, Drinking water
Castel Sant Angelo

Castel Sant Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum for theEmperor Hadrian but was later transformed into a big castle where popes couldseek refuge at turbulent times. The Castel Sant Angelo is located on the rightside of the Tiber and its construction startedin 130 AD and was completed in 139 AD, during the reign of Emperor AntoniusPius who was Hadrian’s successor. At the time which the Castel Sant Angelo was constructedit was the tallest building in Rome, Italy.

The Castel Sant Angelo has undergone several changes basedon the different purposes that it served throughout history. First it was usedas a mausoleum and then it became part of the city wall. Later on it was turnedinto a fortress before being used a papal residence. Afterwards it was used asa barracks and prison and currently it is a national museum. The museum is richin history and it contains the remains of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and thoseof his successors up to the emperor Caracalla.

Castel Sant Angelo is comprised of a square 89 m wide base on acylindrical colonnaded drum with a diameter of 64 m. The mausoleum wasconnected to the Vatican Cityby a bridge (Pons Aelius). Today the passageway that connects Castel SantAngelo and the Vaticanstill exists. This bridge is presently known as the Ponte Sant Angelo.

The Castel Sant Angelo is a spectacular structure. Thebuilding is divided into five floors. Floor I is made of the famous windingramp which is approximately 400 feet long (this is a common Roman construction). FloorII, which is also known as the floor of the prisons contained horrible prisoncells as well as stores for oil and wheat. Floor III, also known as themilitary floor, has two large courtyards. Floor IV which is known as the papalfloor contains the loggia of Julius II, by Bramante, and a papal apartmentconsisting of superbly decorated rooms. Floor V, the top floor, has a bigterrace with apanoramic view and a statue of the Archangel Michael made of bronze.

The incredible statue depicting the Archangel Michael placed at the topof the fortress was sculpted by the Flemishsculptor and architect Pieter Verschaffelt. This statue replaced an older one with the same theme. The previous statue was made ofmarble but after being damaged it was replaced by the current bronze statue. This statue depicts the Archangel Michael who is said to haveappeared on top of the fortress in the year 590 and miraculously ended thesevere plague that had infected the city of Rome.

Castel Sant Angelo is visited by millions of tourists fromall over the world every year and it has become one of the favorite tourists’destinations. Being a home to the National Museum of Castel Sant Angelo, thesite has remained a source of valuable historical resources and manyresearchers visit it every day. There is a lot of art and architecture in andaround Castel Sant Angelo from which you can learn much regarding Rome’s history, religionand architecture.
  • The Sistine Chapel
  • The Vatican Museums
  • The Colosseum
  • The Roman Forum and Arch of Constantine
  • The Pantheon
  • The Trevi Fountain
  • The Spanish Steps
You could discover Rome as many tourists do: admiring its beauty, glancing at its many treasures as you pass them by. However, what we offer in our two-day tour is a full immersion ... morein Rome and the Vatican. This is a chance to really get to know the fascinating histories behind the most famous sites, and some of the lesser-known spots.

With our skip the lines tickets and qualified guide, you relive the gladiator’s fierce battles, and the feats of engineering that enabled the creation of the Colosseum. You explore the Roman Forum, once the political and religious heart of Ancient Rome, and the Palatine Hill, once a luxurious residential area, brimming with villas of the emperors. Then you visit the great piazzas that Rome is famous for: Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and others.

The second day is dedicated to exploring the Vatican. We will emerge you in the masterpieces of the Renaissance, the captivating works inside the Vatican Museums and of course, the Basilica of St. Peter (*Basilica is not included during the 2020 season*). Naturally you will also visit in-depth the exquisite Sistine Chapel and Raffaello’s Rooms, housing their immortal frescoes and learning a lot. The tour concludes at the majestic Castel Sant’Angelo, which offers a breathtaking view of all Rome.
Max Group Size:
24 people
Minimum Guests:
2 people
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