Castle St. Angel from Angel Bridge, Diego Albero Román through Flickr.com
At the end of a Vatican tour, if you find too challenging to climb the 553 steps of St. Peter's Dome, I would suggest reaching Castle St. Angel and enjoying the more accessible view of Rome from its top.
 The Pauline Hall in Castle St. Angel, by B.B. Wijdieks through Flickr.com | Castel Sant'Angelo was first built as a tomb by Emperor Hadrian and slowly transformed into a fortress, where the Popes passed long periods during sieges. Its name derives from the Angel Michael, which appeared at the top of the Castle to announce the end of a terrible plague at the time of Pope Gregory the Great. The imposing structure can be seen entirely from the end of St. Angel Bridge, decorated by Gianlorenzo Bernini's angels. Despite its stern appearance, it hides beautiful treasures and finely decorated interiors. It was also a jail where famous prisoners were detained: Giordano Bruno, the Dominican priest, burnt for heresy in the middle of Campo de Fiori square; Beatrice Cenci, a noblewoman, beheaded for the murder of her abusive and violent father; Benvenuto Cellini, the famous goldsmith which dared to replace with fakes, some of the precious stones of the papal tiara; Cagliostro, the famous alchemist, mason, and healer passed here 16 months in a luxury prison now called Cagliostra. It was portrayed as a jail in the famous Dan Brown's best-seller, Angels and Demons. |
| The Pauline Hall is the fanciest part of the castle, with the nearby Papal Bedroom and Throne Chamber decorated with the mythological stories of Perseus and Love and Psyche and connected with the smallest and cutest spa in the world, the stufetta. Along the walls of the hall built by Paul III, Perin del Vaga, a pupil of Raphael, painted the enterprises of Alexander the Great; odd animals and servants carrying fruits popping up from fake doors. |  Detail of a monkey in the Pauline Hall |
Today, the castle is a National Museum belonging to the Italian State and is used as a museum for ancient weapons and temporary art exhibitions. In summer, the famous gallery connecting the castle to the Vatican Palaces, the Passetto, is opened to the public.
 Earthernware vases to keep the oil heated and thrown against enemies during attacks |  A detail of the grotesque painted in the Cagliostra, the luxury jail of Giuseppe Balsamo Count of Cagliostro. Detained here for 16 month for heresy and wizardry. |
Tips: The castle is a great place to visit also with children.
It is part of the Angels and Demons tour, following the plot of the famous book by Dan Brown.
In summer, the dungeons and the Passetto are opened to the public, and concerts are held in the castle at night.
The castle is a stone's throw from the Vatican, and one of the few places open until 7, even in winter.
A cafè and tables with a view are at the top of the castle.
If you need any further information, contact me through [email protected]
It is part of the Angels and Demons tour, following the plot of the famous book by Dan Brown.
In summer, the dungeons and the Passetto are opened to the public, and concerts are held in the castle at night.
The castle is a stone's throw from the Vatican, and one of the few places open until 7, even in winter.
A cafè and tables with a view are at the top of the castle.
If you need any further information, contact me through [email protected]
View from the top of Castle St. Angel towards the Vatican, by queulat00 through Flickr.com
