Day 2: Castel Sant’Angelo
I only learned of Castel Sant’Agelo after reading Dan Brown’s Angel and Demons. Yes, i read that book before the movie came out. Castel Sant’Angelo was the residence of Pope Constantine. It was a fort where the Pope Clement VII took refuge when Charles V sacked Rome in 1527.
Castel Sant’Angelo is known for having the bridge where each Angel is carrying an element of Christ’s Cruxification. Unfortunately, as you can see from the photos, the angles were under restoration when we went. That was a disappointment.
Passetto di Borgo
Reading Angles and Demons, I learned there is a wall with a passageway that links Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo. I have always wondered how the wall is connected to Vatican City and Castel Sant’Angelo. Coming out of Vatican City, the wall is on left following any of the smaller lanes. follow the wall to reach Castel Sant’Angelo.
On at least two occasions it served as an escape route for Popes in danger. Pope Alexander VI crossed it in 1494, when Charles VIII invaded the city and the pope’s life was in peril. Clement VII escaped to safety through this passage during the Sack of Rome in 1527, when troops of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, massacred almost the entire Swiss Guard on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica. – from Wikipedia
Inside and Hadrian’s Tomb
Castel Sant’Angelo is pretty much a circle. As you enter the ticketing counter, follow the arrows to take you around the Castle. We bought our tickets in advance. There were not many people when we went, don’t think it is a busy tourist attraction. There was no queue to get in and also to buy tickets.
As you wind your way to through the castle, you will end up on a gangway inside the castle. It is a bit of a climb, supposed that is where Emperor Hadrian was entombed. Follow the path and you will end up in a first floor. There is a cafe you can sit and enjoy the view.
Angel’s Terrace
We opted to go up another follow, to the Angle’s Terrace. Magnificent view of St Peter’s Basilica and Rome from the Angle’s Terrace. We can also see the Angel’s bridge from the Terrace. Great place to soak in the view and take pictures. However the mid-day Italian summer sun means we could not stay up there too long.
Experience
In all, visiting Castel Sant’Angelo was just to re-live the story in Angels and Demons. To see what the Castle look like inside as it was described in the book and movie. The view was great. The climb up was disappointing, There are some living quarters of the Pope being displayed. Other than that, I find most of the exhibits underwhelming.
Worth a visit for the pictures. The best picture is taken on the bridge with the Angels with Castel Sant’Angelo as the background. For that, it’s free.
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