Rome sightseeing tours - Ancient Rome holidays - Borgo Pio Rome - Hadrian's Mausoleum in Rome - Castel Sant' angelo - rome sightseeing tours
This famous monument, also known as Hadrian's Mausoleum and Castel Sant'Angelo, is situated in Rome on the right bank of the Tiber River, a few meters from the Basilica of Saint Peter and Via della Conciliazione at walking distance from Borgo Pio, Piazza Risorgimento and Via Cola di Rienzo. Castel Sant'Angelo is connected to the Vatican through the famous Passetto" a fortified corridor.
The history of the Castle of Rome is full of changes, renovations and restorations.

Initially commissioned as a Memorial Tomb for the Roman Emperor Hadrian it became a fortress, a prison, a papal residence during the Renaissance and it is now hosting also the
National Museum which houses numerous art collections. The ancient defensive systems survive today with the old
Marcia Ronda - the walkway that runs along the walls of the Castle - the four bastions intitlled to the Evangelists; the covered Giretto" and uncovered "Giretto", the external wall and the Passetto.
âIt was so unconquerable to resist the attack by the Goths under Alaric in 410 and​ Lanzichenecchi in 1527.

The castle consists of six levels with many art masterpieces ‹in many
halls decorated with frescoes and magnificent statues up to the wonderful terrace overlooking Rome.
The Sala Paolina, the Hall of the Urns, the Library and the Treasure Hall are some of the itineraries along this vast mausoleum that ends on the sixth level with the terrace dominated by the large bronze statue of the Angel and the "Mercy or dannation" bell announcing the executions that took place in the courtyard below.
The statue of Archangel Michael names tht is monument that ​was chosen as the backdrop in the book Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.
Legend holds that the Archangel Michael appeared atop the mausoleum, sheathing his sword as a sign of the end of the plague of 590.

An amazing experience is the view from the terrace reflecting on the Tiber and the numerous Roman domes, including stands the
Dome of St. Peter.