The Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome

Situated on the right bank of the Tiber, opposite the Vatican, the Castel Sant’Angelo has watched over the Italian capital for almost 2000 years. In turn mausoleum, fortress, refuge and prison, the imposing castle has stood the test of time the long Roman like no other!

Follow the guide!

Brief history of the Castel Sant’Angelo

The origins of the Castel Sant’Angelo

Built in the 2^nd century A.D. on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian, who wished to make it his mausoleum, the Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) is located on the right bank of the Tiber.

Inspired by the tomb of Augustus, Hadrian’s mausoleum was completed in 139 AD, one year after the emperor’s death. His successors were also buried here. The last emperor to be buried in Hadrian’s mausoleum was Caracalla – the creator of the Baths of Caracalla – in 217 AD.

During the following centuries, Hadrian’s mausoleum was converted into a fortress! Its privileged position made it a strategic military stronghold which, in the 5^th century, was integrated into the Aurelian Wall, a fortified enclosure protecting Rome.

The castle gave its name to the surrounding district: Borgo (“village” in English).

Pope, plague & archangel

In the 6^th century, Rome fell victim to a deadly plague epidemic. Legend has it that the Archangel Michael appeared to Pope Gregory I in a dream on top of the Castel Sant’Angelo^. In this dream, the archangel is said to have put his sword back into its sheath, thus announcing the end of the epidemic following the fasts and penances that the pope had imposed on the Roman people.

The castle owes its name to this legendary episode: Castel Sant’Angelo.

The Castel Sant’Angelo and the Papacy

The castle’s proximity to the Vatican City made it an ideal refuge for popes in times of trouble.

In the 13^th century, Pope Nicholas III even had a suspended corridor built to link Castel Sant’Angelo to the Vatican: the Passetto di Borgo, also known simply as Pasetto (the “little passage” in English).

Over the centuries, vast rooms were built to accommodate the pope inside the castle. In the 16^th century, Pope Paul III even converted part of the building into a small palace.

Between the 9^th and 19^th centuries, the Castel Sant’Angelo also housed a prison which is said to have received some famous “boarders”, including several popes, but also Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini.

In the second half of the 19^th century, the Castel Sant’Angelo ceased to belong to the Vatican and became the property of the Italian army.

The Castel Sant’Angelo today

Restored in the early 20^th century, the Castel Sant’Angelo was converted into a national museum open to the public in 1925.

Visiting the Castel Sant’Angelo

The interior of the castle

Bring good shoes, as you’ll have to climb a fair bit! The areas open to visitors are spread over 5 floors, served by a spiral ramp.

Les points d’intérêts principaux de la visite sont :

• The inner courtyard, around which visitors can discover exhibition rooms displaying medieval weapons
• Hadrian’s Mausoleum, 1^st floor. Unfortunately, the burial chamber has been plundered and the ashes of the Roman emperors are no longer buried there.
• The old prisons where the enemies of the Vatican were locked up.
• The papal rooms, including
  • The Hall of Apollo, decorated with 16^th century frescoes
  • The Hall of Clement VII, decorated with 15^th and 16^th century paintings
  • The Loggia of Paul III
  • The Loggia of Julius II
  • The appartments of Paul III (Alexander Farnese) where visitors can discover the Paolina Room, the Adrianeum Room and the Garlands Room, each decorated with 16^th century frescoes.

• The highlight of this visit is the panoramic terrace, which offers an exceptional panorama of Rome with splendid views of the Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. There is also a café where visitors can take a break and enjoy the view.

The exterior of the castle

Before or after your visit to Castel Sant’Angelo, don’t miss the bronze statue of St Michael the Archangel, designed in 1753 by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt and erected in front of the castle.

And take time to stroll along the beautiful Ponte Sant’Angelo, which leads to the castle. Renovated by Bernini in the 16^th century, it is decorated with 10 statues of angels.

Access

Getting to the Castel Sant-Angelo

The Castel Sant’Angelo is located on the right bank of the Tiber River, opposite the Vatican. The nearest metro stations are Ottaviano and Lepanto, on line A, about 10 minutes from the castle.

Buses 23, 34, 49, 64, 87, 280, 492, 926 and 990 also stop near the monument, as do the sightseeing bus tours, which are quite handy to freely explore the city.

Opening hours

Castel Sant-Angelo is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 7.30pm (ticket office closes at 6.30pm).

Admission fees

Entrance to the Castel Sant’Angelo costs €15 full price, €7 reduced price. Admission is free every first Sunday of the month.

⚠️ Heads up! During peak season and school holidays, expect long lines at the castle entrance (visitor numbers are limited based on crowd levels). To avoid having to wait or postpone your visit, you can opt for a skip-the-line ticket, even if it is a little more expensive.

👉 More info: fast-track tickets for Castel Sant’Angelo

The entrance to Castel Sant’Angelo is also included in the Omnia Card.

Guided tour

Attention, history lovers! If you’re interested in learning more about the history and legends of the castle, as well as its wonderful frescoes and works of art, Captain Ulysses recommends booking a guided tour of the monument.

👉 More info: guided tour of Castel Sant’Angelo