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The Mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, usually known as Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel), has a grand view and impressive history. During its long existence, built at the dawn of Christianity on the banks of the Tiber, the cylindrical mausoleum was the last refuge for the Roman emperor, the residence of pontificals, a fortress, then prison, and later – the museum and treasury.
Tickets, Tours & Things to See
Today’s visitors will see Castel Sant’Angelo, a famous landmark divided into 6 levels:
- Patio of the Saviour, workshops of Pope Boniface XI, the courtyard which previously served as the place for the execution of convicts, the Holy Cross Chapel, which served for the last prayer of the prisoners condemned to death, a Roman atrium (an ancient arch leading to the tomb of Hadrian) and a spiral descending way to the tomb.
- Corridor and a hall in which the ashes of the Emperor and his family were kept, prison premises, created in the 16th-century larders for grain and products, premises for storing oil – a universal remedy in case of siege.
- Angel’s Patio, Hall of Clement III with a beautiful fireplace and daintily carved door, courtroom, which is decorated with medieval cannons and kernels and a part of the fresco depicting an angel on the wall, Apollo Hall, which has served pontiffs as a place for respectable entertainments, Chapel of Saint Cosmas and Damian (Capella dei SS. Cosma e Damiano), Hall of Clement VII, the patio of Alexander VI with a well, patio and the chapel of Leo X, beautifully designed bathhouse of Clement VII by Giovanni da Udine.
- Covered gallery, where, in the Middle Ages, pilgrims made their march for a meeting with the Pope, rooms of Pius IV, the loggia of Julius II with views of the city, and the Elio bridge, which is attributed to the works of Giuliano da Sangallo, a vast arsenal is containing a collection of weapons and military uniforms of the 15-20th centuries, the loggia of Paul III located on the opposite side of the loggia of Julius II (overlooking Via Flaminia), Pauline Hall – part of the most richly adorned apartments of Paul III Farnese, Perseus Hall, which is decorated thematically on the base of the same legend, continues the theme of the mythology of Cupid and Psyche Halls.
- Treasury – a round room consisting of 15-16th centuries wealth of the pontificate, library, initiated by Paul III, Halls of Hadrian and Garlands, richly decorated with frescoes of the 16th century, triple rooms, named Cagliostra which once served as apartments for Count Cagliostro himself, Pompeiano corridor with intricate ceiling paintings, located between the library and Apollo Hall, and the 18th-century room of the castle keeper.
- Round Hall, the Hall of Columns, was built and decorated with marble columns on the order of Benedict XIV, and it is currently a repository for the banners of the Italian foot troops. Walking through Round Hall, you can get to the Terrace of Angel (Italian: Terrazzo dell’Angelo), which offers an unforgettable view of Rome.
Things to Know Before Visit the Castel San Angelo
The History of the Castle’s Construction
The Mausoleum of Hadrian
The tomb of Emperor Hadrian Publius was erected on the high bank of the river in about 139 AD. The original mausoleum had the form of a cylinder and was richly decorated. The flat roof of the building featured an ornamental garden in the center of which a gilded quadriga was set. In 138, the Emperor’s ashes were placed in the tomb with his wife Sabine and adopted son urns. Also, on Hadrian’s order, Ponte Sant’Angelo (Bridge of Hadrian) was built from the center of Rome to the tomb.
Decline
By the 5th century AD, Hadrian’s mausoleum had lost its former luster and solemnity. It was gradually transformed into a military fortress. During the Goths’ invasion, most of the bronze ornaments, urns, and statues were stolen or destroyed.
There is a legend which says that the Archangel Michael appeared above the mausoleum putting his sword back into the sheath. Thus, the end of the plague in 590 AD was marked. To celebrate this, the tomb was given its present name.
Another interesting fact: in Italy and in many other European countries, a man who had just sneezed said: “God bless you!“. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the plague began with sneezing attacks. And only God could help the plague ill person!
By the 14th century, Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome became the pope’s residence. Nicolaus III connected the castle to St. Peter’s Basilica (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano) by a covered corridor called Passetto di Borgo. Pope Clement VII found refuge in the castle during the invasion of Charles V’s army in 1527 in Rome. The inhabitants of the besieged fort actively attacked the enemies through the slit windows. Famous sculptor-goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini was one of those glorious defenders.
A little later, comfortable apartments ordered by the pontificate appeared on the mausoleum territory if the story of the siege would repeat. Unfortunately, the castle also served as a prison for some time.
- For example, famous medieval scientist, astrologer, and Dominican monk Giordano Bruno had been confined within the walls of Castel Sant’Angelo for 6 years!
- It is remarkable that later one of the defenders of the fort, Benvenuto Cellini, fell into disgrace of the pontificate and went to prison too. On the other hand, nimble and skillful sculptor Cellini even managed to escape from the castle.
- Since 1901, Castel Sant’Angelo has been officially declared a national museum (Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo).
Architecture
The main architectural ensemble of Castel Sant’Angelo was formed long ago, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. A powerful cubic foundation was faced with expensive marble. There was a “washer” of the mausoleum on the top of the pedestal, made of volcanic stone. Outside, the building was faced with travertine and decorated with carved pilasters in the form of oxen’s heads (Bucrani). The tomb was surrounded by a wall that served as a decoration as well as a fortification.
Nowadays, the castle looks much more modest than it was under Hadrian. Travertine, marble, pilasters, and bronze were lost over the centuries. However, the external structure of the mausoleum has remained almost unchanged in contrast to the internal one. Ancient tombs where the Emperor and his family, Antonius Pius, Marcus Antonius, and their nobles rested were damaged. Urns with the ashes were lost.
In the 14th century, the mausoleum has been turned into a fortress. Pope Boniface IX (Latin: Bonifacio IX) ordered the architect, Niccolo Lamberti, to strengthen the castle walls, equip bastions and create the only entry in the form of a drawbridge. In the building itself, a new premise – St. Michael’s Chapel (Italian: Cappella San Michele Arcangelo) – appeared.
In the 15th century, Pope Alessandro VI of the house of Borgia said that architect Antonio Giamberti da Sangallo had to turn the castle into a natural stronghold for battle. The castle was fortified with four bastions and a ditch around the buildings. The fortress also had papal apartments which featured frescoes from the famous Pinturicchio. The new palace of Alessandro VI was used for luxurious receptions and celebrations.
In 1536, Raffaello da Montelupo created a statue of the Archangel Michael with a sword. The marble saint with bronze wings reminds the Romans of the events described in the legend and protects the castle. In the 17th century, in the castle, Angel’s Patio appeared where de Montelupo’s Archangel had found its place.
In the second half of the 17th century, Urbano VIII destroyed most military and decorative buildings of the 15th and 16th centuries. Instead, he created a new version of the fort with a solid defensive wall and fortifications. They began to decorate Ponte Sant’Angelo, leading to the castle, with the statues of angels in 1667. Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and his students have spent about two years completing 10 Baroque-style sculptures that guard the bridge today.
In the 18th century, Archangel Michael saw the world not in stone but in bronze. The work of Flemish sculptor Peter Anton von Verschaffelt still adorns the castle’s roof.
Interesting Facts about Castel San Angelo
- Castel Sant’Angelo was initially built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family. Construction began in 134 AD under architect Demetriano and was completed in 139 AD. The circular design was unique for a mausoleum, reflecting Hadrian’s refined taste.
- In 401 AD, the building was repurposed as a military fortress and incorporated into Aurelian Walls. As Rome’s political and military dynamics changed, so did Castel Sant’Angelo, transforming from a tomb to a crucial defensive structure in just over two centuries.
- One of the castle’s most distinctive features is the bronze statue of Archangel Michael at the top. The statue commemorates the vision of Pope Gregory the Great during the plague of 590 AD, where he saw the angel sheathe his sword, signaling the end of the epidemic.
- The fortified passageway, Passetto di Borgo, links Castel Sant’Angelo to Vatican City. The 800-meter-long corridor served as a secure escape route for popes in times of danger, most notably by Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome in 1527.
- Inside Castel Sant’Angelo, there are intricate frescoes by 16th-century artists Perino del Vaga and Giovanni da Udine. These artists were part of Raphael’s workshop, and their artwork is displayed in the intricate decorations of Pope Paul III’s apartment.
- Since 1901, Castel Sant’Angelo has functioned as a museum. It’s home to a vast collection of historical artifacts, including Renaissance paintings, military weaponry, and documents, providing a deep insight into Rome’s rich and diverse history.
- The castle offers one of the most panoramic views of Rome, a vista that hasn’t changed much since the 16th century. Visitors can see the Tiber River, Vatican City, and a significant portion of the historical city center from its terrace.
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