The monumental circular castle was built around 135 AD on the banks of the Tiber River as Hadrian's mausoleum and later served as a papal fortress and prison.

Today, the almost completely preserved building houses a museum of the history of Rome and the Vatican and is one of the most photographed places in Rome.

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Castel Sant'Angelo is a very popular tourist destination.

Its interesting structure is connected by a wall to the Vatican and is located on the main pedestrian route across the historic centre of Rome. The ancient Bridge of Angels leads to the castle.

Castel Sant'Angelo is one of the best preserved monuments of ancient Rome, along with the Pantheon .

History of Castel Sant'Angelo

The construction was begun under Emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum and was completed in 139 BC. Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Lucius Verus, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Septimus Severus and Caracalla are buried in the mausoleum.

In the 3rd century AD, the mausoleum was converted into a fortress and in the 6th century it was given its current name after an angel appeared to Pope Gregory the Great heralding the end of a plague epidemic. This story is still commemorated by a bronze statue of the angel at the top of the castle.

The present of the Castle of the Angels

Today, the building houses a comprehensive museum of Rome and the Vatican. You can visit the papal chambers, the underground castles and a particular favourite is a visit to the gallery, which offers the most beautiful views of Rome and the Vatican.

Entrance fees and opening hours

Opening hours: 9:00-19:30, closed every Monday and the first Sunday of each month.

Admission

• Adults: 16 eur
• Youth 18-25 years (from EU): 2 eur,
• Under 18: free of charge.
• Some Mondays during the winter, the entrance fee is 5 eur, can only be booked on the spot at the ticket office (queues even for more than 2 hours)

Is it necessary to book a ticket online?

No, but I recommend it during the summer season or on weekends.

Queues at the box office can be more than 1 hour.

A ticket bought online is always for a specific time only and can be booked through the official coopculture.it website.

Hotels at the Castle of Angels

The area around Castel Sant'Angelo is one of the most beautiful in Rome and you will find the best accommodation here. The location is matched by higher prices usually through 103 eur per night, but if you want to enjoy Rome without compromise, consider staying at these hotels, for example:

• Relais Cavour - a small guesthouse with smaller but beautiful rooms and breakfast included, located north of the Castel Sant'Angelo in a normal residential area
• Hotel Adriatic - a decent 2* room between Angel's Castle and the Vatican and with prices from 66 eur one of the cheapest accommodation in the area
• The Castle Inside Rome - a small guesthouse with modern rooms and views of the Tiber River with great ratings

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