Castel Sant'Angelo: Tickets

Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome - Tickets and Information

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• Castel Sant'Angelo Address: 50 Lungotevere Castello, 00193, Rome
• Opening Hours: 09:30 - 19:30

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Is Castel Sant'Angelo worth visiting

• We definitely think so. Its one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and has an incredible amount of history.

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‍What visitors see at Castel Sant'Angelo

• Mausoleum of Hadrian
• Passage of Boniface IX
• Armoury & Military Equipment
• Art
• Other rooms

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‍About Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as the ‘Mausoleum of Hadrian’, sits elegantly on the bank of the Tiber River. It was originally commissioned by Emperor Hadrian to be used as a mausoleum for himself and hisfamily.

Constructed between AD 134 and 139, it did become the final resting place for Hadrian, his wife, Antoninus Pius,Commodus, Marcus Aurelius, Caracalla, and their respective families.

Throughout its history, Castel Sant'Angelo has served various purposes. In AD 400, the church converted it into a fortress to protect Rome from Barbarian invasions. Later, it was used as a prison, with some of the cells still visible today. It also functioned as a castle before being transformed into the museum that it is today. It was also featured in Puccini’s opera Tosca!

One of the castle's most intriguing features are the secret passages that were used by popes as escape routes! The most famous of these is the ‘Passetto di Borgo’, which is a fortified corridor that connects Castel Sant'Angelo to the Vatican! The passage was famously used by Pope Clement VII during the ‘Sack of Rome’ in 1527. The tunnels aren’t open to the public unfortunately.

Castel Sant'Angelo also houses the ‘Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo’,  which shows a collection of art, historical artifacts, and weaponry. Visitors can also enjoy amazing panoramic views of Rome from the terrace.

Castel Sant'Angelo is one of Rome’s most popular attractions with tens of thousands of visitors daily.

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What Visitors See At Castel Sant'Angelo

Mausoleum of Hadrian

The mausoleum is found on the first floor and shows the name of those that are buried there.

Passage of Boniface IX

The Passage of Boniface IX is on level 2. An amazing architectural feature by Niccolo Lamberti for Boniface IX Tomacelli, it features reconstructed versions of medieval weapons. You will also see trap doors and a guards room.

‍Armoury & Military Equipment

The armoury is on the 3rd floor along with a courtyard where you will see a display of weapons that were used at the time that have been set up for battle. There is a much larger display of around 6000 weapons in the National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo.

‍The Alexander VII Walkway

This was a later addition to Castel Sant'Angelo. A circular corridor that was added in the 17th century by the family of Pope Alexander VII of the Chigi. It offers amazing views of the Vatican museums. You will also a cafe located on the walkway so you can enjoy a coffee and snack.

‍The Courtyard of the Angel and Papal Apartments

The Courtyard of the Angel is on the 3rd floor. It served as the reception to the Papal Apartments and the armoury is on one side and the Papal Apartments on the other. The courtyard is also home to a statue of the holy archangel Michael. The Papal Apartments offer incredible frescos and other works of art.

The Library

The library was close to the fortress's most secure area - the 'Sala del Tesoro'. It was used to file the papal archives and important documents. You will find beautiful frescoes on the vault's ceiling. The 'Sala dell'Adrianeo' and the 'Sala dei Festoni' which are two adjacent chambers also form part of the library.

Paolina Rooms

The 'Sala Paolina' rooms serve as both the welcome area and the living room of 'Paul III Farnese'. They were very important locations as Ambassadors and other guests were welcomed in the hall of honour.