Castel Sant’Angelo symbolizes the greatness of Imperial and Papal Rome.

Built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, the building was later adapted for various uses: papal fortress, courtroom of the Inquisition, prison. 58 rooms shed light on the castle’s history: from the damp dark cells of the condemned to death to the beautifully decorated rooms (frescoes, marble, reliefs, perspective jokes) of the Renaissance popes.

Famous prisoners were Benvenuto Cellini, Giordano Bruno, Beatrice Cenci. We also see the famous Staircase of Alexander VI (for the horses, among others), the treasury, the room of the urns, the bronze angel, cannonballs in the courtyard, the courtroom, the library, the colonnade, the beautiful view over the Eternal City …

Giacomo Puccini set the finale of his opera “Tosca” there.

And of course: the Church of the Enlightenment from the “Bernini Mystery” (Dan Brown)!

Private tour
Duration: 2 hours.
Fee (excl. entrance): € 135 total
Entrance: € 12 p.p., free <18 and disabled (show document)
Practical advice: comfortable walking clothes