Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo (National Museum of the Holy Angel Castle), Rome

Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo (National Museum of the Holy Angel Castle), Rome (must see)

The Mausoleum of Hadrian, commonly known as the Castle of the Holy Angel, is a cylindrical tower in Rome’s Adriano Park. Commissioned by Emperor Hadrian between 134 and 139 AD as a family mausoleum, it was once the tallest building in Rome.

Initially, the mausoleum housed the ashes of Hadrian, his wife Sabina, and subsequent emperors, ending with Caracalla in 217. The structure was adorned with a garden-topped cylinder and a golden quadriga. Hadrian also built the nearby Pons Aelius bridge, which still offers a scenic route adorned with Baroque angel statues.

In 401, the mausoleum was converted into a fortress and incorporated into Rome's Aurelian Walls. Over centuries, its treasures and urns were scattered, including during the Visigoth sack of Rome in 410. The building also served as a defense during the Gothic siege in 537, with statues thrown down on attackers. Some remnants, like a capstone from Hadrian's urn, found their way into significant structures such as Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Legend holds that Archangel Michael appeared over the building in 590, signaling the end of a plague and inspiring the castle's current name. The statue of Michael atop the castle, first sculpted in 1536 and replaced by a bronze version in 1753, commemorates this event.

The popes transformed the structure into a fortress and residence. Pope Nicholas III linked it to Saint Peter's Basilica with the fortified Borgo Passage, while Clement VII used it as a refuge during the 1527 Sack of Rome (by the mutinous troops of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V). The castle also became a prison, housing figures like the Italian philosopher and astrologer Giordano Bruno. Executions occurred in its courtyard, and the structure was immortalized in Puccini’s opera Tosca.

Decommissioned as a fortress in 1901, the castle now operates as a museum, attracting over a million visitors per year. It offers a fascinating display, featuring cannons, armor, and ornately decorated papal apartments. A highlight is the hidden passageway connecting the Vatican to the castle.

Visitors can enjoy coffee with incredible views of Saint Peter's Basilica at the on-site café. For breathtaking panoramas of Rome and Vatican City, head to the rooftop terrace, ideal on clear days or evenings to experience the city's vibrant nighttime charm. While there is some walking involved, the museum is easily navigable and offers a memorable blend of history, architecture, and stunning vistas.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rome. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo (National Museum of the Holy Angel Castle) on Map

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Sight Name: Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo (National Museum of the Holy Angel Castle)
Sight Location: Rome, Italy (See walking tours in Rome)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Rome, Italy

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