The Four Functions of Castel Sant`Angelo

This beautiful and impressive structure, situated on the right bank of the Tiber river has more than 1,800 years of history. It has changed and transformed during the years, serving the city’s needs through times of peace and war. Once a mausoleum, then a fortress and eventually a museum, Castel Sant’Angelo has become a symbol of the ever-changing nature of the city itself and without a doubt, one of Rome’s major attractions. Read on to discover the four faces of Castel Sant’Angelo:

1. The Mausoleum Built in just four years and finished in 135 AD, this structure first served as a mausoleum dedicated to Emperor Hadrian and his family. The top of the tomb was covered with marble statues, surrounding a chariot driven by the Emperor himself, represented like the sun and ringed with Cyprus trees. It became the burial place not only for Emperor Hadrian, his wife and adopted son, but also for the Emperors of Antonin and Severan dynasties. Emperor Caracalla was the last to be buried in the mausoleum in 217 AD. Burial ashes can still be found in the center of the building.
2. The Miracle Legend has it that during the plague in 590 AD., when the population of the city was desperate, the pope saw a vision of the Archangel Michael appear on the top of the mausoleum, sheathing his sword as a sign that the plague is over. The plague ceased shortly after this vision and a chapel with a statue was built in memory of this episode. From this moment on, the Romans start calling it Castel Sant`Angelo (The castle of the Holy angel). The bronze statue of the angel that we see nowadays is not the original one which was made in marble and is preserved inside. Another legend has it that the angel left his footprints during his appearance. These too have been saved and can now be seen in the Capitoline museums.

3. As Papal Fortress The mausoleum was turned into a military fortress during the decline of the Empire when the people were less concerned about preserving the remains of long-dead emperors and more concerned with protecting themselves from attack. The papal state used Castel Sant`Angelo not only as a castle, but also as a prison. Many were tortured in its dark cells and several were executed. It was Pope Nicolas III who converted the tomb into a castle and commissioned the building of the famous passage atop the wall connecting the Vatican with Castel Sant`Angelo. The main function of this passage, known as the “Passeto di Borgo,” was to enable the Pope’s escape in case of emergency. It is approximately 800 meters (2,600ft.) long and it was put to the test twice: In 1494 Pope Alexander escaped during the invasion of Charles the 8th and in 1527 Pope Clement did the same, during the sack of Rome. The Passeto di Borgo more recently inspired Dan Brown’s novel “Angels and Demons” or you might have seen it in the videogame Assasin’s creed.
4. The Museum Perhaps not it’s grandest incarnation, the museum of Castel Sant’Angelo now allows visitors to re-experience all the many incarnations the monument has taken over the years. Info: Open Tuesday to Saturday, closed Mondays. Open 9am to 6:30pm or 10:00pm on Fridays. €7 entry tickets for adults can be purchased on site.