On a recent trip to Rome I was a bit unlucky with the weather. It was raining quite heavily so I took the opportunity to go inside the Castel Sant’Angelo. I have walked past it many times and have always been curious. The rainy day did me a favour.
What is now The National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo was originally the tomb of emperor Hadrian.
Trajan’s adopted son, Hadrian was emperor of Rome between 117 and 38 AD. A noble and highly cultured figure who was strong and austere, he was a brilliant soldier and an astute politician. He had a predilection for art, music, philosophy and literature and is remembered as one of the best of the Roman Empire.
For himself and his family he built a massive sepulchre just outside the heart of the city, the Ager Vaticanus. The mausoleum was to tower over the others beside it and be linked to the centre of Rome by the richly ornamented Pons Aelius, constructed by the same emperor.
The bridge is still standing and is now called Ponte Sant’Angelo. The three central arches remain from the Roman era. The 10 statues now in place were added much later, in 1668. Two were created by Bernini and considered to precious to remain outside and were moved to the church of Sant’Andrea Delle Fratte. Replicas were made by Bernini’s students.
For a €9 entry fee you can enter the museum and wander freely through this incredible building…come for a walk.
There are huge sculptures from ancient times.
It is possible to get up close and personal with the detail of the construction…it was built to last.
The pathways give a wonderful perspective of the layout. The original structure was on three levels, the outer quadrangular base, the massive cylindrical core covered with green vegetation from the centre of which rose another smaller cylinder. This was surmounted by a quadrilateral, a four horse chariot bearing the emperor. It must have looked spectacular…it still does.
The statue of Michael the Archangel displayed in the courtyard is by Raffaello da Montelupo. It is 3.3 metres tall and its copper wings have perforations to reduce wind resistance.
There is a very cute cafe.
There are amazing views from various vantage points.
I find it incredible that we can walk in the footsteps of Roman emperors…don’t you?
Thanks for the pics Deb. This is my most favourite building in Romr
By: Jan Fabretti on January 7, 2016
at 11:47 am
It could easily become mine too, but I find it difficult to get past the Pantheon. This was first time inside, despite walking past it many times…I will be back.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:37 am
What a fabulous post! Amazing pictures! I love Rome <3
By: Ishita on January 7, 2016
at 11:57 am
I love Rome too. I have been many times but I never tire of it.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:37 am
Once I was in Rome and our tourguide told us there was a secret corridor from the Vatican to the Castel (for the Pope!)
By: Annelies Monnereau on January 7, 2016
at 11:59 am
I was there quite late in the day, not long before closing time, so I didn’t have time to explore the whole place. I will rerturn.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:38 am
I visited some time ago. I remember a long sweeping set of stairs and a secret escape tunnel from the Vatican.
By: Andrew Petcher on January 7, 2016
at 12:18 pm
I will look for it next time I visit, I didn’t have enough time to cover the whole place.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:39 am
so beautiful photographs and castle, dear Debra, I loved them, especially with the lights… Thank you, love, nia
By: niasunset on January 7, 2016
at 12:22 pm
I have walked across the bridge many times, but had no idea how old it is…incredible.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:40 am
Being up close and personal with such buildings gives me goose bumps. What an extraordinary structure.
By: Jan on January 7, 2016
at 12:25 pm
It is quite difficult to get an idea of the scale of this place from photos. It is huge.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:41 am
Rainy days are great – Laurie & I visited many years ago – love your photos
By: Liz Litzow on January 7, 2016
at 12:29 pm
I don’t know why I have not been inside before, but I will certainly return.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:42 am
Wonderful dear Debra!!! Thank you!
By: Roberto Alborghetti on January 7, 2016
at 1:54 pm
Those Romans sure knew how to build things to last.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:43 am
Brought back lovely memories from the summer. Love Rome. Thanks for sharing, great photo.
By: Sandra on January 7, 2016
at 2:04 pm
I remember being impressed by this 43 years ago on my first trip to Rome.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:43 am
There’s always so much to see in Rome. I enjoyed your rainy day photos, Debra. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on January 7, 2016
at 2:24 pm
I have been to Rome many times but I feel I have only scratched the surface.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:44 am
I’ve only been three times, so I obviously have seen almost nothing. 😕
By: anotherday2paradise on January 8, 2016
at 1:23 pm
It is interesting to know that both Trajan and his adopted son, Hadrian, were born in Italica, a town located some 6 km away from Seville, Spain. It is not clear whether the Ulpii family was originally Roman or Iberian. In any case, they were both great Emperors.
The Castel is a most remarkable building that has seen quite a few historical events. And yes, there is a secret passage that links it to the Vatican.
By: Mulino Dominillo on January 7, 2016
at 2:47 pm
Clever Spaniards!
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:45 am
What a majestic structure…..I need to get to Rome!
By: Sue on January 7, 2016
at 7:47 pm
Yes, you must go to Rome. It is magnificent.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:46 am
I’ve been to so many places in Italy, but so far the only part of Rome has been Fiumicino airport….
By: Sue on January 8, 2016
at 11:13 am
Yes totally find it incredible. Enjoyed that walk with you Deb. Marvelous photos and interesting historical facts plus your quirky captions. Very good.
By: Dianne CANT on January 7, 2016
at 8:02 pm
I didn’t climb right to the top…I must return.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:46 am
This is an amazing structure. You could easily spend many hours there. I saw my best views of Rome from here.
By: Lyn on January 7, 2016
at 8:50 pm
The views were excellent, probably even better on a clear day.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 8, 2016
at 9:47 am
We finally toured this wonderful building last fall on a very hot day. Stopped at one of those tables with the view for a cold beer. Thanks for the great photos.
By: paninigirl on January 8, 2016
at 6:44 pm
I can find no reference here to Giacomo Puccini’s opera Tosca set in Rome in 1800.The third Act takes place on the ramparts of the Castel Sant’Angelo.
It is here that the painter Cavaradossi is executed by a platoon of soldiers and where Tosca hurls herself from the parapet to her death on the ground below.But the best is the orchestral introduction to this act as dawn breaks. A shepherd boy is heard singing down below as he trails some sheep with bells alongside the river Tiber.At the first faint rays of dawn,the city bells ring for matins.There is no better way to soak up the atmosphere of Castel Sant”Angelo than accompanied by Puccini’s music.The composer visited Rome at day break in order to get the exact bell tone correct.What a gift he left us!
By: williampuccini58 on January 8, 2016
at 8:52 pm
Thank you for your information. I didn’t know about this.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 17, 2016
at 9:16 pm
Great pictures and awesome post, thanks for sharing! The history of Rome is second to none, what an amazing city.
By: Tony on January 10, 2016
at 2:28 am
It is an amazing space inside isn’t it. I recall being taken aback too, not knowing quite what await. Marabella was quite small when we visited together. We said it like a city within a city – and a fabulous vantage point as you demonstrate so well. Thanks Deb!
By: janinevasta on January 10, 2016
at 9:11 am
Exellent!!!
By: Tiffani Leon on January 11, 2016
at 10:11 pm
Those copper wings are pretty extra-ordinary. c
By: Cecilia Mary Gunther on January 12, 2016
at 2:36 am
Castel Sant’Angelo is such a fascinating place….!
By: timelessitaly on January 12, 2016
at 4:45 am
Thanks for the photos. I think I could live in that cafe’! Oh, and the rest looked pretty damn fabulous as well 🙂
By: sheilasunshine on January 29, 2016
at 10:33 am
Wonderful History – Rome. Thanks for sharing- makes me realise how much more I need to see and do in Rome. Deb you really say it so well in pictures.
By: Dianne Cant on January 7, 2018
at 2:03 am
Rome Isco fabulous! I can’t wait to be back there.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 7, 2018
at 3:30 am
Saw it some years ago – must revisit – great post Debra
By: Elizabeth Litzow on January 7, 2018
at 5:07 am
It is a great place to visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 7, 2018
at 9:55 am