Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo was built between 123 and 135 AD

Castel Sant' Angelo was originally built to be a tomb for the emperor Hadrian.  Its purpose has evolved over the years to be a fortress, a prison, house of the Vatican archives and treasury, and now a world-famous tourist attraction.  The Castel is open to visitors from 9 am until 7:30 pm every day except Monday.  When my daughter and I arrived at Castel Sant'Angelo in March of 2025, we scanned a QR code near the entrance to purchase tickets online for the next session that wasn't already sold out.  Here is the official website where you can purchase tickets for 16 euro each:  Castel Sant'Angelo

We had about a half hour before we were scheduled to enter, so we walked along the Bridge of Angels, or Ponte Sant'Angelo and admired all of the statues, and the views of the beautiful Tiber River.  We tried to figure out where they had filmed "Roman Holiday" on the banks of the Tiber with Castel Sant'Angelo in the background.

Castel Sant'Angelo is also featured in the movie "Angels and Demons," including Langdon's use of a corridor connecting Castel Sant'Angelo with the Vatican.  This corridor actually does exist.  It was built in 1277, commissioned by Pope Nicholas III.  It is called Passetto di Borgo. 

The bridge that goes over the River Tiber towards Sant'Angelo - The Bridge of Angels

view from the Bridge of Angels

The statues on the Bridge of Angels all represent a portion of Christ's suffering and death.  Bernini designed some of the sculptures, but the originals are in Sant'Andrea delle Fratte because they could have been damaged outdoors.  The statues on the bridge are replicas of these original statues.  St. Peter and St. Paul are at the head of the bridge.  They were installed in 1534.

angel with the garment

angel holding a crown of thorns

Angel with the whip

The famous statue of the Archangel Michael, which has been replaced many times and represents the end of the plague.  This particular statue has been on top of Castel Sant'Angelo since 1752.

Angel with the veil

Angel with th enails

Angel with the nails

Angel with the cross

Angel with the superscription

Angel with the lance

My mom, my husband, and my son & his family on the Bridge of Angels in 2024

Looking up at the Castel from the ground

Entrance to the Castel

Angel with the lance and Angel with the sponge

Archangel Michael and the Italian flag

The Bridge of Angels and the Tiber River

Archangel Michael

This statue of the Archangel Michael used to be atop the Castel, but was replaced with the current statue in 1752.  

In this photo you can see the Passetto di Borgo, the elevated passageway that took popes from Vatican City into Castel Sant'Angelo.

Archangel Michael

The Bridge of Angels from the terrace of Castel Sant'Angelo

My daughter and I, and the Archangel

The winding circular passageway that takes you out of the Castel

Next time I go to Rome I want to tour the Passetto di Borgo, the secret elevated passageway that connects Castel Sant'Angelo with Vatican City.  It was opened to the public through private tour for a short time in December of 2024, but closed for renovations for 3 years.  Hopefully by the time I return to Rome it will be open again.