Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most impressive buildings in Rome, and your wanderings through the Eternal City will eventually lead you there, as it is very close to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.
A remarkable sight from a distance, Castel Sant’Angelo has an interesting history that is definitely worth reading – did you know it was only open to the public in 1901? But most importantly, its terrace offers one of the most impressive views of St. Peter’s Dome – so consider investing in a ticket, and check it out.
Are you curious to find out more? Continue reading. I am a massive fan of Castel Sant’Angelo and never miss an opportunity to walk by it, visit, and climb to its terrace. In this post, I will share everything I know about it and include some useful information that will help you plan your visit.
You should also read my post The Most Famous Buildings In Rome.
What To See In Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome
Ponte Sant’Angelo
The first thing you’ll come across when visiting Castel Sant’Angelo is the bridge – one of the most beautiful bridges in the Eternal City. Completed in 134 AD, and commissioned by Hadrian himself, this bridge has spanned the River Tiber ever since it was built.
Constructed from travertine marble and consisting of five arches, it is only accessible by foot and closed to traffic.
Although the bridge is an attractive structure, one of the most striking elements is its statues of angels and apostles that decorate its length. It was in 1535 that Pope Clement VII had them commissioned for the bridge. Among them are St Paul and St Peter, with others representing Noah, Abraham and Moses.
In 1669, Pope Clement IX commissioned replacements for angels that seemed to be aging. Gian Lorenzo Bernini worked on their replacements. Today, a total of 10 angels decorate the bridge, each one holding an instrument of passion (spears, nails, cross, etc.).
For many centuries, when the Castle was used as a prison, the bodies of those who were executed were left on this bridge out in the open for all to see.
Hadrian’s Mausoleum
The original purpose of Castel Sant’Angelo was as a tomb for Emperor Hadrian, and you can still see this central part of the building.
Inside the more modern castle walls are the remains of the Mausoleum. With its interior walls once adorned with marble and other decorations, it’s not hard to see how grand this tomb would have once been before it was plundered.
Castel Sant’Angelo terrace
As far as viewpoints in Rome, the upper Castel Sant’Angelo terrace is one you shouldn’t miss. It offers some incredible panoramic views of the surrounding city; from here you can spot the dome of St Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon and other historic landmarks that dot the city.
There’s a cafe situated up here, so you can soak up the view while sipping on a coffee or having a snack.
Statue of Archangel Michael
Before you turn around and go back down into the heart of the Castel Sant’Angelo, make sure to look up. Here you’ll see a statue of the Archangel Michael watching over the city of Rome.
According to legend, the archangel appeared atop the Mausoleum sheathing his sword to point out the end of the plague that ripped through the region in 590 AD. It’s this legend that gives Castel Sant’Angelo its current name.
The bronze statue was created in 1753 by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt.
Il Passetto
Also visible from Castel Sant’Angelo terrace is “il passetto,” or the passageway. This elevated corridor, constructed in 1277 upon the wishes of Pope Nicolas III, connects the Vatican Palace to the castle and was intended for Popes to be able to escape the Vatican in case it came under threat.
It was used in 1527 by Pope Clement VII, who escaped the German soldiers of Charles V. You don’t even have to go into Castel Sant’Angelo to see il passetto; you can catch a glimpse of it just strolling around the streets, which gives you a better impression of how well hidden and defended any escaping Pope would have been up there.
Defensive Walls
The classic Renaissance pentagonal bastions were constructed under the reign of Pope Pius IV (ruled 1559-65). Three of the five original pointed bastions survive today, with the other two demolished in the 1880s.
Although they may not seem as impressive as they would have been when they were first built, you can still see how these strong walls would have repelled any attackers willing to take their chances.
Views from the walls are excellent; they provide an ideal vantage point to see the original cylindrical structure of the mausoleum.
The Loggias
After Castel Sant’Angelo was further fortified and modified for use as a refuge by the Pope, it underwent much transformation. One of the many additions remaining today include two sweeping loggias – open-air corridors with arches and columns.
Possibly the more impressive of the two is the Loggia of Pope Paul III, who reigned as ruler of the Papal States from 1534 to 1549. He decided to make it a more comfortable place to reside, rather than simply adding more fortifications and strengthening its defensive walls.
His loggia was designed by Raffaello da Montelupo and was painted with frescoes by the artist Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta.
The second loggia was added by Pope Julius III (ruled 1550-55) and provided impressive views out over what was then the Roman countryside.
Papal apartments
This was yet another addition to Castel Sant’Angelo by Pope Paul III to make it a more residential dwelling that he could use in case of any threat to his safety. He became Pope in the years following Rome’s sack by Charles V, so, understandably, he wanted to be secure in his surroundings.
Visitors today can see a recreation of Pope Paul III’s bedroom, as it would have looked when he reigned, complete with an ornate coat of arms embellished on the ceiling and a luxurious carved wooden bed.
The library
Another section of the Papal apartments is the library. Don’t come here expecting any kind of books to be on display, however – instead, it’s more about the impressive artwork and frescoes that adorn the walls. This large hall, with its barrel shaped ceiling, was created in 1555 and features an array of symbolic and colorful artwork.
Among them are depictions of Roman mythology, as well as historical interpretations of everyday Roman life, such as a scene that illustrates what the Baths of Caracalla may have looked like in their heyday.
Q&A For Visiting Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome
Castel Sant’Angelo opening hours
Castel Sant’Angelo is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. The ticket office closes at 6:30 pm, so be sure to arrive before then if you want to visit. The site is closed on Mondays, as well as holidays including on the 1st January, 1st May and Christmas Day.
Best time to visit
Though you can visit the Castel Sant’Angelo pretty much any time of day and still be impressed, it’s particularly pleasant to visit around sunset.
Not only is the sunset from Castel Sant’Angelo terrace beautiful but there are also fewer people around this time of day, making for a less busy experience.
Depending on when you are visiting Rome, you won’t be able to linger long enough to see the sunset. In that case, I recommend going there as soon as it opens.
Wondering how long it takes to visit Castel Sant’Angelo? I’d say that between exploring the interiors and checking out the views from Castel Sant’Angelo terrace you should factor in a minimum of 1.5 hours.
Castel Sant’Angelo tickets
The price of Castel Sant’Angelo tickets is as follows:
ADULTS – €13
EU CITIZENS BETWEEN 18 AND 25 YEARS OF AGE – €2
VISITORS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, DISABLED EU CITIZENS AND ONE COMPANION – Free
Castel Sant’Angelo is free to visit on the first Sunday of every month.
Reservations are only mandatory at weekends. There is a €1 fee to add to any online booking. This is the official site to book your tickets.
You can also get slightly more expensive fast-track and refundable tickets on third-party booking sites.
Another option to get your tickets to Castel Sant’Angelo is the Rome Tourist Card, which includes admission to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, to the Vatican Museums and an option to choose a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, or admission to Borghese Gallery or Castel Sant’Angelo.
Is a guided tour needed when visiting Castel Sant’Angelo?
If you want to learn more about the layers of history and legends that surround Castel Sant’Angelo, I recommend joining a guided tour (or just continue reading until the end of this post where I share a bit of its history).
Guided tours of Castel Sant’Angelo take usually around two hours; they normally come with skip-the-line tickets. Licensed tours are available from Castel Sant’Angelo itself and are done in groups of no more than 20 people at a time.
I recommend this guided tour of Castel Sant’Angelo with fast-track access. It’s run by a local company and has excellent reviews.
Is Castel Sant’Angelo Worth Visiting?
One of your questions will likely be “is Castel Sant’Angelo worth visiting?” and let me be clear in saying that it absolutely is! This is one of my favorite places in Rome. Perhaps sharing a bit of history will give you a better understanding of its importance and why you should visit.
Castel Sant’Angelo has a long and interesting history that reflects Rome ever-changing fortunes. Also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the structure was originally built on the right bank of the River Tiber, between 134 and 139 AD by orders of Emperor Hadrian, who intended to use it as his tomb once he died..
The cylindrical structure was directly inspired by the Tomb of Augustus.
The Mausoleum was originally topped with a garden, centered around a golden quadriga (a chariot drawn by four horses). Hadrian’s remains were interred here, alongside those of his wife Sabina and his son Lucius Aulius, a year after his death in Baiae in 138 AD.
It seemed that Hadrian had created something of a tradition: the remains of emperors who succeeded him were also placed in the Mausoleum. The last emperor to be buried in Castel Sant’Angelo was Caracalla in 217 AD. The urns with the remains of the emperors were placed in what is now known as the Treasury Room.
In 401 AD, Emperor Flavius Honorius ordered the conversion of the building, which became a military fortress and afterward became a part of the Aurelian Walls. In the Sack of Rome of 410 AD, the urns with the ashes of Roman emperors were lost.
It later became a prison and, apparently, an execution ground. It was here that the Dominican friar Giordano Bruno was held for six years, before being burnt alive at Campo de’ Fiori in 1600. Executions were usually held in a courtyard at the castle.
As a prison, the castle was famously the setting for the third act of the opera Tosca by Puccini. It was decommissioned as both a military building and prison in 1901, when it was finally opened to the public.
Other Useful Information
Security checks
Umbrellas, large bags and backpacks cannot be brought into Castel Sant’Angelo. A small handbag (not exceeding 40 x 40 centimeters) is probably fine, however.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, you may freely take photographs and videos anywhere at Castel Sant’Angelo.
Toilets
There are toilets located towards the bridge side of the Castel Sant’Angelo and near the cafe on the upper terrace, too.
Disabled access
Visitors with disabilities can access only limited parts of Castel Sant’Angelo and its outdoor spaces. There are ramps and helpful signs that point out barrier-free routes for disabled visitors.
How to get there
Castel Sant’Angelo is a very easy walk from St. Peter’s Square. Just walk along the Via della Conciliazione and you’ll get there in 10 minutes or so. If you are staying in Trastevere, you can walk along the banks of the river and you’ll be there in about 25 minutes.
The nearest bus stops are Piazza Pia / Castel S. Angelo (bus routes 23, 40, and 62, among others) and also Borgo Sant’Angelo (bus route 40). The closest metro near Castel Sant’Angelo is Lepanto. You can also disembark in Ottaviano. Both stations are about 1 km (0.6 miles) from the Castle.
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