There is a legend behind this marvelous Popes Castle of the Holy Angel tour next o the Vatican. It  is not only a testament to Rome’s architectural ingenuity but also a witness to its layered history, from the Roman Empire to the papacy and beyond. It remains one of the city’s most visited landmarks, blending history, art, and breathtaking view.

Castle of the Holy Angel tour was originally built during the Ancient Rome by emperor Hadrian as mausoleum, become a Pope’s prison conecting the Vatican with the Castle trough the Passetto di Borgo – a fortified corridor.

Castel Sant’Angelo takes its celestial name from a vision steeped in divine grace.  As the plague of 590 A.D. gripped Rome, Pope Gregory I led a desperate procession through the city.  Atop the mausoleum, the heavens unveiled Archangel Michael, his radiant form sheathing a sword, a sign that the scourge had passed. This ethereal moment wove itself into the fabric of the city’s history, transforming the once imperial tomb into the “Castle of the Holy Angel,” a beacon of hope and faith.

Today, the bronze statue of the Archangel atop its summit immortalizes the legend, his presence eternally guarding the Rome -Eternal City.

The Castle of the Holy Angel was a death scene inspiration to Giacomo Puccini for his opera Tosca where the broken-hearted heroine throws herself from the castle’s walls. In 1901 the castle became a museum under name Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo.

Today, this breath-taking museum is where we will discover its secrets and mysteries hidden insight, the torture tools and machines artwork that will leave you speechless, followed by a wonderful overlook of the Vatican from the top.

Your journey through Castel Sant’Angelo offers an unparalleled glimpse into its multifaceted history and architecture. Your guide will lead you through the opulent Papal Apartments, adorned with intricate frescoes and relics that reflect the castle’s role as a refuge for popes.

Explore the fascinating military artifacts collection, showcasing weaponry and defenses that once safeguarded the fortress. Descend into the eerie dungeons, a reminder of the castle’s darker past as a prison, and uncover the secrets held within its stone walls.

Finally, ascend to the terrace crowned by the statue of St. Michael, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Rome and the Vatican, a moment to reflect on the site’s profound history and legend.

A century wide adventure awaits those who are brave enough to partake in it!

Well-known people that were imprisoned in this fortress were Giordano Bruno and the sculptor  Benvenuto Cellini. The inner courtyard was used for the executions. To discover more about mysteres and legends of this place You can join us also on Ghost in Rome tour.