Exploring Passetto di Borgo: Rome's Historic Escape Route
Passetto di Borgo Quick Facts
- Official name: Passetto di Borgo
- Address: Viale Giuseppe Ceccarelli, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
- Location: Connects Vatican City with Castel Sant'Angelo
- Design: An elevated fortified corridor
- Length: Approximately 800 meters (or 2,600 feet)
- Built by: Pope Nicholas III
- Construction began: 1277
- Function: Escape route for popes during times of danger
- Date of opening to the public: 1999
- Historical significance: Used by Pope Clement VII in 1527 during the sack of Rome by the troops of Emperor Charles V
- Cultural significance: A symbol of the Pope's temporal power and political influence in Rome
- Public access: Limited; requires special guided tours
Discover Passetto di Borgo
Why Visit Passetto di Borgo?
- Architectural marvel: The passage is an engineering feat of its time - an elevated, fortified corridor providing a discreet and secure passage. It's a fascinating example of medieval architecture and urban planning.
- Stunning views: Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Rome and the Vatican City from this elevated passage.
- Insider access: Tours of the Passetto di Borgo offer a glimpse into the secretive side of Vatican history, otherwise inaccessible.
- Historical importance: The walls of Passetto di Borgo have witnessed centuries of intrigue, power, and survival when popes needed escape routes.
- Photography opportunity: Its unique structure and vantage point provides an unusual perspective for memorable photos, a must-visit for photography enthusiasts.
- Literary connection: Fans of Dan Brown's Angels & Demons will love the chance to see a real location from the novel, adding a layer of intrigue for visitors.
Plan Your Visit to Passetto di Borgo
What Are the Opening Hours?
Timings: Open for a couple of months during the summer to small groups for guided tours
Best time to visit: July-August, in the late afternoon
Detailed Castel Sant’Angelo Timings
Where is Passetto di Borgo?
Address: Viale Giuseppe Ceccarelli, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Passetto di Borgo is a 3.5 meters wide, and around 800 meters long elevated passageway. This fortified structure is a part of the Castel Sant’Angelo and Vatican complex, connecting the two iconic landmarks.
Getting to Castel Sant’AngeloWhat to See at Passetto di Borgo?
Unique Architecture
As an elevated, fortified corridor, it offers a unique architectural perspective, embodying a blend of practicality and design, from a time when such constructs were both a strategic necessity and a display of power.
Connection to the Vatican
Start at the Vatican, where you can explore the rich history of the Papal State, its intrigues, and the reason for the Passetto's existence. This context lends greater understanding and depth to your Passetto experience.
Connection to Castel Sant'Angelo
The route ends at Castel Sant'Angelo, a towering fortress filled with history. Apart from being a secure passage for popes, the Passetto was also used to transfer prisoners to their grim cells secretly.
Stunning Views
Along the Passetto, especially from slits on the wall, you can enjoy unusual views of Rome. Plus, the unique sight of the eternal city from the fortified walls is breathtaking.
Architecture of Passetto di Borgo
The Passetto di Borgo is roughly 800 meters long, raised to offer both security and discretion. From the inside, its passage being only 3.5 meters wide, meant that only two people could pass at the same time, making it safer for the popes to not be chased.
If you leave Castel Sant'Angelo and head towards the Vatican, along the walkway that lies along the top of the wall, a narrow staircase takes you into the secret passageway. There are small slits on either side of the wall allowing the outside light in to help you navigate the serpentine walkway.
Passetto di Borgo Today
Initially, the Passetto di Borgo was a property of the Vatican City, despite a large part of it being situated in Italian territory. This changed when Pope John Paul II decided to hand it to the Italian Government, all except the first 80 meters of the corridor, located within the Vatican.
Following several years of restoration work, the Italian Government successfully reopened the Passetto di Borgo to the public in 1999. Nowadays, visitors can experience the historic passage by visiting Castel Sant'Angelo and walking through the Passetto di Borgo.
How to Buy Castel Sant’Angelo Tickets?
Frequently Asked Questions About Passetto di Borgo
The Passetto di Borgo is a historic elevated passage in Rome that connects Vatican City with Castel Sant'Angelo. It has served as a secure escape route for popes during times of danger.
Passetto di Borgo isn't open to the public regularly. It opens for special occasions or tours, organized by the Vatican or the city of Rome. Check the Castel Sant'Angelo tickets for the latest information.
Yes, you can visit The Passetto di Borgo with Castel Sant'Angelo tickets. However, it is best to check if it is included in guided tours. Also, check the timings before booking.
Pope Nicholas III oversaw the construction of it in 1277, though sections of the wall had been previously established by Totila during the Gothic War.
The Passetto di Borgo was built in 1277 during the pontificate of Pope Nicholas III.
Inside the Passetto di Borgo, you'll find an enclosed, elevated passageway, originally used as a secret escape route for popes. It also served as a secret passage to transfer prisoners to Castel Sant'Angelo prison.
Visitors can walk along the Passetto di Borgo, learn about its history, enjoy the unique architecture, and experience stunning views of Rome from various vantage points along the route.
The Passetto di Borgo is not regularly open to the public, and visitors require special permission or book guided tours to visit. Keep in mind that this fortified passageway is open only on special occasions for a limited time.
The Passetto di Borgo runs along the Borgo district, connecting the Vatican City with the Castel Sant'Angelo. The exact location is Viale Giuseppe Ceccarelli, 00193 Roma RM, Italy.
Due to the uneven terrain and narrow passageway, Passetto di Borgo is not accessible by wheelchair.
Photography for personal use is allowed at Passetto di Borgo.
There is no specific dress code for visiting Passetto di Borgo. However, it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as the passageway is dimly lit and the surface is uneven.
