WHAT IS THERE
TO SEE?

Castel Sant’Angelo makes quite an impression before you even step through the door. And it’s just as stunning on the inside, thanks to the grandeur and opulent influence of the popes over the years. You can learn all about the building’s history in the museum, too.

As you walk through Castel Sant’Angelo, you find yourself being taken on a journey through the centuries. Originally built as a mausoleum during the days of the Roman Empire, it’s still the site of emperors’ tombs.

In the 15th century, popes started having luxurious living quarters spruced up in the castle with masterpieces by famous artists on the wall, including Perin del Vaga, one of Raphael’s pupils. You can still visit the papal rooms and halls to this day. The Library Hall dating back to the 16th century is a firm favourite here. Just make sure you look up at the vaulted ceiling, which tells the story of Ancient Rome.

No visit would be complete without admiring the Chamber of Cupid and Psyche, the bedroom of Pope Paul III dating back to the 16th century. The room is named after its mythological murals, which depict – scene by scene – the story of Cupid, who was sent by his mother Venus to punish the beautiful mortal Psyche. In fact, Cupid did the exact opposite and ended up marrying Psyche instead…

We have Pope Alexander VII to thank for the circular corridor that has been offering up a stunning view of the Vatican since the middle of the 17th century.

You’ll find the viewing platform – complete with 18th-century bronze statue of Archangel Michael – at the castle’s highest point. This is actually the sixth version of this statue! The first four were destroyed when they were hit by lightning. And the fifth statue of Archangel Michael (dating back to 1544) can now be found in the forecourt to the papal apartments. The view of the dome at Saint Peter’s Basilica and over the rooftops of Rome from up on the platform is so beautiful that you can’t help but fall in love with the Eternal City. That is, if (by some miracle) you haven’t already!

If you’re interested in historical armour and weapons, you won’t want to miss out on the armoury. Prepare to be fascinated by armour, uniforms, weapons and cannons that were used between the 16th and 19th century.

For a long time, Castel Sant’Angelo served as a safe haven for popes, who could surreptitiously escape from the Vatican and flee here via an underground passage. Sadly, that secret passage is closed off at the moment. (When I asked how long it would be closed for, the reply was a shrug of the shoulders and the typical Italian three-lettered word “Boh”. Loosely translated, that means they have no idea…)

Castel Sant'Angelo
A bit of History

Castel Sant’Angelo has had many roles throughout history, serving as a mausoleum, fortress, prison and museum. Originally called Mausoleo di Adriano, it started off as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian (117–138 A.D.) and his descendants. The mausoleum was completed in the year 139 A.D. and became the final resting place of the following emperors and their wives:

• Emperor Hadrian and his wife Sabina
• Emperor Antoninus Pius and his wife Faustina
• Emperor Marcus Aurelius
• Emperor Commodus
• Emperor Septimius Severus

From the 10th century onwards, multiple popes had the mausoleum converted into a castle that could serve as a fortress and refuge. In 1277, Pope Nicholas III had a secret passage spanning 800 metres built between the Vatican and the castle. And the Passetto di Borgo was used time and time again! Pope Clement VII used the escape route when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria, captured the city in 1527. The pope hid out in the castle for a whole month. Pope Pius VII did much the same when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Rome.

Castel Sant’Angelo also went on to be used as a prison until it was eventually turned into a museum in 1925: the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo.

In case you were wondering, the name Castel Sant’Angelo dates back to the year 590 in the wake of a deadly plague. It is said that Pope Gregory I (known as Gregory the Great) saw Archangel Michael on top of the mausoleum during a penitential procession. His sword was in its sheath as a sign that the plague was over. After that, the statue of Hadrian was removed and replaced with the angel figure.

Castel Sant’Angelo has always been a popular setting for storytellers. Puccino’s opera ‘Tosca’ and the film ‘Angels & Demons’ are two well-known examples. In the opera ‘Tosca’, the painter Mario Caravadossi is shot here and his girlfriend then takes her own life. And the castle provides the secret hiding place for the Illuminati in ‘Angels & Demons’.