Castel Sant'Angelo Rome

The Castel Sant’Angelo is among the most interesting monuments in Rome, and it is a place, which amalgamates centuries of history and change. A imperial mausoleum is now a papal fortress; a prison is now a museum: to-day it is an indispensable object to every visitor of the Eternal City. Within, the visitor is able to find frescoed rooms, ancient secret passages, art collections, and spectacular views of Rome.

As you pass the gates of Castel Sant’Angelo, you enter a maze of halls, courtyards, and galleries, each telling its own story about its long history. The building is separated into several tiers each of which reflects a portion of its amazing history.

The most interesting attractions include the National Museum of Castel Sant Angelo that displays a large number of weapons, paintings, sculptures, and historical items associated with the military and artistic history of the castle. The Exhibition Rooms are also impressive and are featured with the works of art and objects that belonged to popes and noble families.

Among the most enigmatic elements of Castel Sant Angelo, there is the Passetto di Borgo, which is the access point that is used to reach the castle and Vatican. Popes would use this escape route to escape in case they were in danger like in the case of the Sack of Rome in 1527 when the popes were able to seek refuge inside the castle due to this high pathway.

This ancient building was constructed in the form of Mausoleum of Hadrian where the remains of the emperor and his successors were to be buried. One of the most impressive architectural features is the Helical Ramp, which is a huge spiral staircase that connects the lower floor to the core of the mausoleum. This building, which was constructed to carry the urns of the emperors, enables people to walk through the identical route that was previously used by the imperial funeral processions.

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Castel Sant’Angelo was a popish fortress of the popes. The lavishness and strength of the Church was reflected by the Papal Apartments, which were decorated with splendid Renaissance frescoes. The Chapel of Leo X is one of these, and a secret treasure, with splendid decorations ordered by the Medici pope.

The visit has certainly included one of the most breathtaking scenes which is the Terrace of Castel Sant’Angelo and this has got a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome. It is here that you can see St. Peters Square, the Tiber River, the Pantheon and even the Colosseum. The Archangel Michael statue can be found in the terrace as well, the statue is a tribute to the fact that the angel came here in 590 AD and told the people that a plague was over.

Going down the high levels, you arrive at the Courtyard of the Angel, where is a statue of Archangel Michael–which has been brought up there at the summit of the castle. It was the place where ceremonies used to be held and military meetings took place. A short way below that, one will find the prisons, in which such a person as Benvenuto Cellini and Giordano Bruno were once kept in dungeons. The gloomy and cluttered cells serve to remind the reader about the dark history of Castel Sant’Angelo as a prison.

Once having visited the castle, it is worth walking a few meters to St. Peter Basilica and the Museums of Vatican which are the two most recognized sights in Rome with its grandiose dome and the magnificent St. Peters square. Alternatively, the Vatican Museums also contain one of the best masterpieces in the world such as the frescoes of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.

To detail the itinerary, a scenic walk along the Lungotevere would be a good choice, where there are some historic bridges, such as Ponte Sant’Angelo adorned with angel sculptures by Bernini. The next place of interest is Piazza Navona which is full of Baroque fountains and Roman vibrancy.

Castel Sant’Angelo is not just a castle, it is a place which narrates the history of Rome by its walls, frescoes, and secret. It is strongly suggested to purchase your ticket ahead of time to prevent spending hours on the waiting lines and enjoy the whole process to the fullest spending time on different interesting details of this historical masterpiece, whether you are going to be guided or just to enter the palace.