Plizio Visual Lab
Castel Sant'Angelo
The Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian and his family, is a towering cylindrical building in Rome, Italy. Its construction began in 135 AD under Emperor Hadrian and was completed by his successor, Antoninus Pius, in 139 AD. Throughout its nearly 2000-year history, the structure has served numerous purposes. It was converted into a fortress and became part of the Aurelian Walls. From the 14th century onward, it served as a castle for the popes, connected to the Vatican by the fortified corridor, the Passetto di Borgo, which provided an escape route in times of siege. Later, it was used as a prison, with famous figures like Giordano Bruno being held within its walls. Since 1906, it has been a museum, the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo, displaying a diverse collection of art and historical artifacts. The top of the building is crowned by the statue of Archangel Michael, commemorating a 6th-century legend where the angel appeared to signal the end of the plague.
- Location: Italy
- Top sights: Castle of the Holy Angel · Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo · Hadrian's Mausoleum Park
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 7 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 8 |
| Rain mm | 73 | 77 | 69 | 56 | 57 | 34 | 26 | 26 | 70 | 82 | 114 | 92 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Construction was initiated by Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD.
- The building has a height of 48 meters (157 feet).
- The Passetto di Borgo connecting it to the Vatican is 800 meters long.
- It was officially converted into a national museum in 1906.
- The museum houses artifacts distributed across 58 rooms.
- The angel statue on top has been replaced several times; the current one is bronze and dates to 1753.
- Originally, the top was adorned with a garden and a gilded quadriga.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Castel Sant'Angelo (10)
Auditorium Conciliazione
Building in Rome, an auditorium on Via della Conciliazione.
Oratorio di Santa Maria Annunziata
Church building in Rome, an oratory.
Chiesa dei Santi Celso e Giuliano
Church building in Rome, dedicated to Saints Celsus and Julian.
Ponte Vittorio Emanuele Secondo
Bridge in Rome, named after King Victor Emmanuel II.
Arco dei Banchi
Arch in Rome, part of the historic architecture.
Ponte Neroniano
Roman bridge in Italy, remains of an ancient bridge.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What was the building originally?
Is there a connection to the Vatican?
Is the terrace view worth it?
How long does the visit take?
Is Castel Sant'Angelo accessible?
Castel Sant'Angelo: where is it located?
Castel Sant'Angelo: what is there to see?
Castel Sant'Angelo: when is the best time to visit?
Castel Sant'Angelo: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
