Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is a cylindrical fortress on the right bank of the Tiber River in Rome, originally built as the Mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian. Over time it was converted into a military fortress, papal residence and prison, and today functions as a museum.

Visitors can view the ramparts, internal rooms and the terrace that provides panoramic views of the city and the river, including St Peter’s Basilica. The building’s layered functions are visible in its architecture, which combines Roman, medieval and Renaissance features.

The structure was completed as Hadrian’s mausoleum around AD 139 and was later adapted into a fortress and papal stronghold during the medieval period; successive popes added defensive works and residential quarters. It was linked to the Vatican by the elevated Passetto di Borgo to provide a secure route.

Castel Sant’Angelo sits on the Lungotevere close to the Vatican City, a short walk northwest of St Peter’s Square and within Rome’s central historic district.

• Museum and views: The castle houses a museum with exhibitions on its history and offers a terrace with wide views along the Tiber River towards St Peter's Basilica.
• Passetto di Borgo: A fortified passage known as the Passetto di Borgo links the castle to the Vatican, historically used as a secure escape route for popes.