Castel Sant’Angelo Rome

Castel Sant Angelo Rome (Castel Sant Angelo)

The Castel Sant Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel)  is one of the great sights in Rome and is one of the largest and most important ancient buildings in the world. The castle is located almost directly on the river Tiber (Tevere), only a few hundred metres from the Vatican. For many tourists, a visit to the interior of the Castel Sant Angelo  is one of the highlights of a trip to Rome. The castle is an antique building from the 2nd century after Christ. For many centuries it was a refuge of the popes in danger from the Vatican, only a few hundred metres away.

>>>  You should buy the tickets for the Castel Sant’Angelo online

Aelius Bridge, behind Engelsburg

Our Tip:  Great tour angel castel and Vatican

Most visitors cross the Aelius Bridge over the Tiber from the city centre to Castel Sant Angelo. You should first circumnavigate the gigantic cylinder from the outside to see the dimensions. The queue at the entrance is usually long. Those who already bought an entrance ticket for the Castle of the Holy Angel in the internet before, you do not have to wait hours in the long queues.

Our tip: Buy your ticket for Castel Sant’Angelo online beforehand and avoid long queues

Castel Sant’Angelo from the outside

Castle Sant’Angelo  Rome 2024 Admission Prices and Tickets

There are different entrance fees to the Castel Sant Angelo  in Rome. Those who want to queue in the long line pay a few euros less. But it is better to buy a ticket for the Castle of the Holy Angel on the internet before. Hours of queuing are not necessary.

We recommend that you buy an admission ticket in advance on the Internet,You can find such tickets for Castel Sant’Angelo on this good website.

>>> You should buy the tickets for the Castel Sant’Angelo online

Opening hours Castel Sant Angelo 2024

The Castel Sant’Angelo is open every day except Monday from 9 am to 7:30 pm. In addition, New Year’s Day, Labour Day (1 May) and Christmas Day the sight is closed. In the high season from the end of June to around mid-September, the opening hours of Castel Sant Angelo are even extended to midnight (this was at least the case in summer 2017). We recommend the visit of the Castel Sant Angelo because of the great view rather in daylight. Of course, the view from above to Rome at night is also interesting.

Great guided tours Castel Sant Angelo and Vatican

For many centuries the Castle Sant’Angelo and the very near Vatican were closely connected by a secret passage. Today there is a great guided tours in Rome for both major sights. The tour is in English (duration 3 hours) available.

>>> More information, dates, prices and bookings on the well-known website Getyourguide.

Our visit to Castel Sant’Angelo  Castle

After a long queue we could finally buy a ticket at the cash desk and entered the castle. It leads a long way over about five high floors slowly upwards. At the top is a panorama terrace with a wonderful view to the Vatican, the river Tiber and many other sights in Rome.

First there are some stairs between thick walls to the top, in different floors you have a better and better view to Rome with increasing height. At the beginning, you are mostly outside, later you get through different rooms. At the highest point is a great terrace with a magnificent view of Rome. For just the panorama, the entrance to the angel castle was actually worthwhile. You can look in many directions, the views of many visitors are towards the Vatican.

Our tip: Buy your ticket for Castel Sant’Angelo online in advance and avoid long queues.

Our Tip:  Great tour angel castel and Vatican

Sometimes tickets are a little cheaper at Tiqets.info.

On the way up and even more on the way down you get through many interesting rooms, some of which are decorated with great works of art. Some are the living rooms and study rooms of former popes, but you also see a former library.

But the gigantic dimensions of the castle in Rome and the thick walls are especially impressive. In some places you can see cannons, other weapons, heavy chains and other objects from the very long history of Castel Sant Angelo.

The way and the direction are given for the castle visitors. The circular route through the Castel Sant’Angelo is quite long We were with the usual breaks somewhat more than 90 minutes walking. The way goes first constantly upwards, then slowly downwards again.

Although I suffer a little from fear of heights, this was no problem in the Castel Sant Angelo, in contrast to some church towers for example. The stairs and paths are quite easy to walk on and, according to our impression, relatively easy to do for normal people without walking problems.

On the upper floor there is a café with a good view (coffee from 2.50 euros in 2018). There is also a clean toilet (free of charge). Disabled people with wheelchairs can only visit a part of the Castel Sant’Angelo  as far as we know. There is a toilet fordisabled people just after the entrance.

Short video: Castle Sant’Angelo from the air (length: 1 min)

The history of Castel Sant Angelo

The Castel Sant’Angelo is an ancient building and was built as a mausoleum (tomb) for the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Shortly after Hadrian’s death in 138 AD, the gigantic fort was completed. Later, six other Roman emperors found their last place in the Castel Sant’Angelo  (at that time the name of the mausoleum was Hadrianeum).

The round castle with its thick walls and about 65 metres in diameter was used as a fortress starting in the Middle Ages. In case of danger, several popes found refuge in Castel Sant Angelo. Famous is a secret passage about 800 meters long between the nearby Vatican and the Castel Sant’Angelo. The connecting passage that has survived until today is called Passetto di Borgo or Corridoio di Borgo. Several popes furnished complete rooms in the castle. The interesting rooms, which bear the names of the respective popes, can be visited today during the visit of the angel castle. For a long time, Castel Sant Angelo was also a prison.

For more than 100 years now the Castel Sant’Angelo has been a museum and open to the public. It is one of the largest antique buildings in Europe and a great sight to see.

>>>  You should buy the tickets for the Castel Sant’Angelo online

Location and Directions

There is no subway station of the Metro Rome in the immediate vicinity. The nearest metro station is Ottaviano, about 15 minutes walk away. The distance from the Castel Sant Angelo  to the Vatican (St. Peter’s Basilica) is only a little more than 500 meters. You can combine both sights and visit them in one day.

City map with the castle

You can also walk from the city centre of Rome to the Castel Sant’Angelo. For example, the distance from the Pantheon is a little more than one kilometre. From the area around the Spanish Stairs it is a little further, about 30 minutes walking time.

Of course, you can also take the public bus to Castel Sant Angelo. But in our opinion it is better to walk from the centre. Until you have found the right bus and the bus arrives, you are often already there on foot.

You can also learn a lot about Castel Sant’Angelo in the new multimedia show Welcome to Rome in the city centre.

Castel Sant’Angelo Rome History (Castel Sant Angelo) long article

Castel Sant’Angelo (Castel Sant’Angelo) in Rome, Italy, is a magnificent fortress and museum with a rich and fascinating history dating back over two thousand years. Originally built in 135 AD as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, it was later used as a fortress and papal residence.

The Hadrian Mausoleum was built as the final resting place for the emperor and his family and was to be one of the most magnificent buildings in Rome. The mausoleum was built of marble and stood on the banks of the Tiber surrounded by beautiful gardens. Over time, the mausoleum was transformed into a fortress and its round shape was changed into a square shape with the addition of new walls and towers.

In the 5th century, the mausoleum was transformed into a papal fortress and served as a residence for popes for several hundred years. During this time, the popes made several changes to the building, adding defensive walls and towers and building a fortified bridge to connect the fortress to St Peter’s Basilica.

One of the most striking features of Castel Sant’Angelo is its massive cylindrical tower, which rises above the city of Rome and offers breathtaking views of the city and surrounding countryside. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of the city, or explore the many rooms and chambers within the fortress, which are beautifully preserved and contain a wealth of artwork and artefacts.

In the 19th century, Castel Sant’Angelo was converted into a museum and now houses a collection of artworks and artefacts that tell of the building’s rich history. Visitors can see ancient sculptures, paintings and weapons, as well as the papal apartments and the magnificent Hall of the Popes.

In summary, Castel Sant’Angelo is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Rome and the papacy. Whether you are interested in history or simply looking for a unique experience, Castel Sant’Angelo offers an insight into the rich cu
St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome, Italy, is one of the largest and most famous churches in the world. It is considered one of the holiest sites in Christianity and attracts millions of visitors every year. The history of St Peter’s Basilica dates back to the 4th century. Century. The first church was built on the site where the tomb of St. Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus, was believed to be.

The first cathedral, built in the 4th century, was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine. This cathedral was destroyed in the 9th century and replaced by a new one in the 16th century. Today’s St Peter’s Basilica was designed in 1506 by the famous architect Bramante, commissioned by Pope Julius II. Bramante’s design was later modified by other architects such as Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno to give the building its own artistic touch.

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One of the most famous features of St Peter’s Basilica is the dome, designed by Michelangelo and completed in 1590. The dome is 136 metres high and offers a sweeping view over the rooftops of Rome. The church also houses numerous works of art, including Michelangelo’s famous “Pietà” sculpture, Bernini’s stunning “Baldacchino” and a large bronze canopy over the altar. Another notable feature of St Peter’s is the nave, the central part of the church where the congregation gathers. The nave is lined with chapels, each containing its own work of art, such as the Chapel of the Madonna di Foligno, which contains a painting by Raphael.

Apart from its architectural and artistic wonders, St Peter’s Basilica is also known for its rich history. It is the site of many important events in the history of the Catholic Church, including papal elections, papal coronations and numerous councils.

Visitors to St Peter’s Basilica can also visit the Vatican Grottoes, which lie beneath the church and contain the tombs of many popes and other important figures in the Catholic Church. Access to the grottos is via a staircase near the altar.

In summary, St. Peter’s Basilica is a magnificent architectural and artistic work that contradltures the rich history of the Catholic Church and Italy’s heritage, and an unforgettable view of the city of Rome.