Castel
Sant'Angelo also known
Mausoleo Adriano
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"THE
HISTORY"
Emperor Adriano (117-138), died 62 years old with inexpressible
sufferings, wanted to be commemorated here, on the other shore
of Tevere, outside of the city walls. The original building was
built in 139 A.D. and it carried for long time the original name
Mausoleo Adriano till the terrible plague that tormented Rome
in 585. In those days Gregorio Il Grande, later become Pope, ordered
to Romans to make a procession till San Pietro's Basilica but
when the dying procession passed before the Mausoleo Adriano,
Gregorio who was leaading it saw an angel on the top who was replacing
his sword in the sheat. This vision immediately was interpreted
as a God's sign for the imminent end of the plague that in fact
happened. From that day on, the building changed its name in Castel
Sant'Angelo and an estatue representing the good angel can be
seen nowadays on the top of it. In the centuries the building
changed a lot of times destination of use having been a tower
for observation of the Aurelian wall since 271 A. D., a jail and
the Popes' residence in case of danger as it happened in 1527
during the Sack of Rome. For this reason a secret corridor joining
the building to San Pietro was built in 1277 to allow a flight
to the Pope in case of attack. Nowadays Castel Sant'Angelo is
an interesting museum opens every day but mondays illustrating
hte history of the building. Many rooms are frescoed by Renaissance
artists as Domenico Zaga and Perin del Vaga (worthy of a visit
is the Sala Paolina). The room where probably Emperor Adriano
was buried was converted in the "treasure room" in 1586
by Pope Sisto V who put the Vatican wealth inside a huge wooden
trunk still visible today. The top terrace offers to the visitor
the suggestion of the angel besides an amazing view of Rome and
an unforgettable sunset on San Pietro's Church.
Opening
hours: Daily from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to
7p.m. Dec 24th and 31st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The box-office closes
1 hour before.Closed on Monday and Jan 1st, May 1st, Dec 25th.
Tickets: FULL 5.00 €. REDUCED
4,20 € (European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years old; -
European Union teachers of State schools only by showing valid
membership card); FREE € 2 (European Union citizens under 18 and
over 65 years old. - ICOM members (only by showing valid membership
card) - European Union school groups, upon reservation. - European
Union students and teachers in Architecture, History of Arts only
by showing valid membership card. - Journalists only by showing
valid membership card)
Official Web site: Musei
Capitolini di Roma
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