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- Castel Sant'Angelo
- Archangel Michael Statue
- Mausoleum of Hadrian
- Ponte Sant’Angelo
- Passetto di Borgo
- History
- Inside
- Colosseum
- Vatican Museums
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Rome Pantheon
- Musei Capitolini
- Borghese Gallery
- Roman Catacombs Tour
- Altare della Patria
- Doria Pamphilj Gallery
- Bioparco Rome
- Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tours
- Palazzo Barberini
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Trevi Fountain Tours
- Rome Underground Tours
- Rome To Tuscany Tours
Contents
Inside Castel Sant'Angelo: Unravel Mysteries and Masterpieces
Castel Sant AngeloInside
Browse through the castle walls: A visual journey
Highlights of Castel Sant'Angelo
Mausoleum
- The first floor of Castel Sant’Angelo holds the Mausoleum of Hadrian, where Hadrian, his wife Sabina, their children, and later Roman emperors with their families were interred.
- Inscriptions inside the mausoleum list the names and titles of those buried there, offering a glimpse into the imperial lineage.
Passage of Boniface IX
- Level 2 features the Passage of Boniface IX, designed by Niccolò Lamberti for Pope Boniface IX Tomacelli, along with medieval elements like reconstructed weapons, a trap door, and a guard room—echoes of the castle’s prison past.
- Notable prisoners include Benvenuto Cellini and Giordano Bruno, both held for challenging papal authority.
Military exhibits
- On the third tier, west of the courtyard, lies the Armory, a two-level structure once used by upper-level guards to store weapons.
- The upper armory features four connected chambers displaying around 6,000 weapons, armor, and military artifacts from the National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo.
Alexander VII walkway
- In the 17th century, Pope Alexander VII built a circular corridor with open arches, offering stunning views of the Vatican Museums and the city of Rome.
- Along this walkway, you’ll find Caffetteria Ristorante Le Terrazze, a cozy spot to enjoy an espresso while taking in the breathtaking panorama.
Courtyard of the Angel
- Located on the third floor, the Courtyard of the Angel served as a reception area to the papal apartments, bordered by the armory on one side and the papal quarters on the other.
- At its center stands a statue of the Holy Archangel Michael, to whom Castel Sant’Angelo is dedicated—commemorating his legendary appearance atop Hadrian’s mausoleum.
Papal apartments
- The beautifully frescoed rooms of the Papal apartments and the most magnificent art works, including ceramics, sculptures, and paintings, can be found on the fourth floor.
- Large rooms were built inside the castle over the centuries to accommodate the pope. Pope Paul III even converted a portion of the structure into a small palace in the 16th century.
The terrace
- The bronze figure of the angel that Peter Anton von Verschaffelt sculpted in 1752 commands attention on the top terrace. The "convict" and "mercy" bell, which at the time signaled executions, is located in the upper left corner.
- The terrace is also famous for its views of the dome of Pantheon, Renaissance and baroque buildings and the finest city view of Rome.
Passetto di Borgo
- The passetto (passage) is around 800 meters long and is accessed via a modest entrance at Bastione San Marco. The Pope's safety while traveling from his apartment in the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo is ensured by the Passetto di Borgo, which is a secured path.
- Pope Clement VII famously used it to enter the fortress in search of safety during the 1527 Sack of Rome.
Spiral staircase
- This helical ramp spans a 12-meter height difference by starting at the atrium and curving within the mausoleum. This slope then immediately leads to the burial chamber, also known as the Hall of Urns.
- The ramp has no apertures on the outside other than the top, and it was built for the funeral procession that would depart the emperor on his last journey.
Grand Loggia
- At the 4th level of Castel Sant’Angelo interior, you would find a white marble parapet, two freestanding columns, and two half columns positioned against the jambs that make up the building.
- Inscribed in the vault are four Latin mottos that reflect the purpose of this portico space, which Julius II intended to be a "loggia of benefits."
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Frequently asked questions about what's inside Castel Sant'Angelo
What is inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
As you go inside Castel Sant’Angelo, you will find the Papal’s quarters, the Hadrian’s Tomb, execution ground, frescoes, well-preserved fortress and more.
Do I need a ticket to go inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
Yes, you need to get tickets to go inside Castel Sant’Angelo, it is recommended that you buy the tickets online to avoid the never-ending queue.
Can I take a guided tour inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
You can take an expert guided tour inside the Castel Sant’Angelo. You could also take an audio-guided tour which will help you to explore the place at your own pace.
Do you need fast-track entry tickets to enter inside Castel Sant Angelo?
By booking fast-track tickets to the museum, you can escape the hurdle of standing in a long queue at the physical ticket booking counter.
How big is the Castel Sant’Angelo?
Castel Sant’Angelo is a six storey building which is 10.2 meters high, and it has 58 rooms in total.
What are some must-see highlights inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
Some highlights inside the Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome include the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the Bastions, the Papal Quarters, and the Castel Sant'Angelo terrace.
What are some unique things I can see inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
Some of the unique things that you will see inside the Castel Sant’Angelo Rome are the frescoed walls of the castle, center of Hadrian’s Mausoleum, spiral staircases, the grand Loggia, and the statue of a kissing couple.
What are some unique things I can do inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
Climbing the spiral staircase inside the Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the unique things that you will do here. As you make your way to the top, you will come across a cafe bar where you can grab a drink and enjoy the vistas of Rome.
Can I go inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
Yes, you can go inside the Castel Sant’Angelo Rome by booking your tickets. It is advised that you book your tickets in advance to skip the hassle of the long queue.
Can I take pictures inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
A. Yes, you are free to click pictures inside Castel Sant’Angelo.
Is it free to go inside the Castel Sant’Angelo?
No, you have to buy tickets to go inside Castel Sant’Angelo. It is recommended that you buy the tickets well in advance to skip the long lines in front of the entrance.
Is going inside the Castel Sant’Angelo worth it?
Visiting the Castel Sant’Angelo is definitely worth it and not only because of the exterior beauty of the monument but also because of what it has to offer inside. When you enter inside Castel Sant’Angelo you will get an idea of how Rome has changed over a period of 2000 years.
What are the opening hours to go inside Castel Sant’Angelo?
The opening hours within which you can enter inside Castel Sant’Angelo is from 9 AM to 7.30 PM.
