Related:
"A Walk Through The Vatican"

Rome Tourist Guide Routes  

Castel Sant'Angelo

If you leave Saint Peter's Square and head straight down the Via della Conciliazione, you come to the Castel Sant'Angelo. Construction on this castle, which towers over the Tiber River, began in the year 123 A.D.. Nowadays it is considered one of the most well-known and recognisable Roman landmarks, no easy task considering the immense architectural wealth the city has to offer.

The castle is a regal fortress crowned by the figure of an angel. More than mere adornment, this angel is actually the subject of a legend. The story comes from a time when the bubonic plague was decimating the city, and processions solemnly marched through the streets, praying for an end to the epidemic. One day Pope Gregory the Great saw an angel appear at the very top of the castle. He interpreted the heavenly apparition as a sign that the city's days of suffering were coming to an end. He ordered the construction of a chapel at the very top of the mausoleum to remember and honour the event.

The castle now houses a museum, but its functions have varied quite dramatically over the centuries. The castle had been originally conceived as a mausoleum for Adrian, which was indeed its first function. From that time on, the castle was used for many, different purposes by each successive pontiff. Due to its structure, the castle often served as a fortress and refuge for the pontiffs during times of conflict, and it was also turned into a prison at one point. It now houses the military museum and has several halls adorned with frescoes from the 16th century.

Opening days/hours:
Tuesday-Sunday: 09:00h to 20:00h
Closed on Mondays

Nearest landmarks or references:
Piazza San Pietro, Basilica San Pietro, Vatican Museums