Castel Sant Angelo

About Castel Sant Angelo

The Mausoleum of Hadrian, better known as Castel Sant’Angelo, is a 1900-year-old fortress located in the Italian capital Rome that now serves as a museum. This historic site was originally a mausoleum for the Roman emperor Hadrian and his family. In the years that followed, the walls of this Castel Sant’Angelo became the final resting place of many more emperors and served many more purposes than just a mausoleum and museum.

On your visit to Castel Sant’Angelo, you won’t be able to stop marveling at the well-preserved Roman architecture dating back to the second century. Explore the castle's five floors and learn about its intriguing history, including how it was used as the Pope's residential quarters and even a prison.

You can also view a collection of ancient relics, statues, paintings, and weapons belonging to different periods and events that the walls of the castle witnessed. Even if you are not a history buff, this castle is a must-visit for the terrace offers spectacular panoramic views of the city that are not to be missed!

Castel Sant Angelo Tickets Variations


Castel Sant Angelo Skip-the-Line Ticket

The skip-the-line Castel Sant’Angelo tickets give you easy access to the premises of the historic site. By purchasing these tickets, you can escape the long lines and enter the gorgeous castle right away. The trip lasts two hours and takes you through all five floors of the fortress, where you can see stunning Roman relics, weaponry, murals, and magnificent architecture. You can also go to the terrace for stunning views of Rome and the Tiber River. The Castel Sant'Angelo skip-the-line tickets, however, do not include admission to the Palazzo Venezia. Also, children below the age of 18 are admitted free of charge in this ticket category.


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Skip-The-Line with an Audio Guide Ticket

Explore Castel Sant'Angelo at your own speed while learning fascinating stories, anecdotes, and facts about this historic site on your smartphone. With these Castel Sant’Angelo tickets, you can tour the cylindrical tomb of Emperor Hadrian, visit the terrace, and explore the various rooms housing ancient relics. Throughout the one-and-a-half-hour tour, you can hear original tales from the many eras that the castle has stood through in numerous languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, German and French. To access this exciting audio tour, simply reserve your tickets, download the app, and listen to the audio guide on your phone.

Angels & Demons Tour Ticket

You can enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience at the ancient site with this Castel Sant'Angelo ticket, exploring the entire structure as well as uncovering secret routes from the castle to the Vatican city. You will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide during the tour, who will take you inside Hadrian's mausoleum and the Pope's quarters. On the terrace, you can get stunning rare views of the Vatican, Colosseum, and the Pantheon. Along the route, you can see stunning Italian sculptures, antiquities, paintings, and other fascinating relics. The tour can take anywhere from two to four hours.


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Castel Sant Angelo Highlights

  • Explore the maze of several gardens and majestic chambers connected by a 400-meter spiral ramp at Castel Sant’Angelo.
  • Tour the ruins of the original tomb, as well as ancient Roman walls and recreated rooms in the lowest parts of the building.
  • Access the Papal quarters, which are embellished with stunning Renaissance-era ceramics, frescoes, and sculptures by prominent Italian painters.
  • Marvel at the stunning bronze statue of the Archangel Michael, created by Raffaelo da Montelupo, a student of Michelangelo.
  • Enjoy a delicious lunch on the terrace of Castel Sant'Angelo, which also offers excellent views of Rome and the Tiber River.
  • Capture scenic views of the historic Castel Sant’Angelo from the Ponte Sant’Angelo, which is adorned with intricate angel sculptures.
  • After enjoying a great day exploring the castle, relax under the shade of tall ancient Cyprus trees in the Parco Adriano park located nearby.
  • On a guided tour, hear amazing stories and anecdotes about the history of Castel Sant'Angelo and the members it housed.
  • Explore the secret tunnel that connects Castel Sant'Angelo and the Vatican City.


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What to expect at Castel Sant Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo is both an archaeological site and a museum. This fortress was originally built in the second century as a tomb for Emperor Hadrian of Rome and his family. The mausoleum, which is cylindrical in shape and remarkably well kept, is still accessible. In the years afterward, Castel Sant'Angelo has served as a military fortification, Pope's home, and prison. During your visit to the castle, you will be able to see weaponry, uniforms, and military warfare from its period as a fortress. The Renaissance-style frescoes, pottery, and statues that decorate the former Pope's chambers testify to its function as a Papal residence. Besides these artifacts, there is also a large collection of pottery ranging from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. The fortified outpost and prison are still very well-preserved and open to the public. On the top floor of the castle, there is a quaint cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while soaking in breathtaking views of the entire city.

History of Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is a classic testament to the evolution of Rome over the last 2000 years. Its tale begins in 123 AD when Roman Emperor Hadrian commissioned the building. As intended, the castle became the resting place of Emperor Hadrian, his wife and adopted son. In the following years, Hadrian’s successors were also laid to rest in this castle. The mausoleum was subsequently turned into a military fortress in 401.

In the 14th century, the castle became a Papal residence, with several Popes remodeling the structure according to the style of that period. In the later years, the fortress was used as a prison where executions were carried out, and detainees were left to starve. It was finally converted into a museum in 1901 and today invites visitors from all over the world to explore the remains of its turbulent past.

Architecture of Castel Sant'Angelo

Due to its long history, the Castel Sant'Angelo is an unusually complex five-story building with architecture, art, and sculpture dating to different eras. The castle is reached via a lovely bridge with stunning angel statues placed on the edges. From the outside, the Castel Sant'Angelo appears to be a large fortress, with a cylindrical mausoleum enclosed by a square wall. Inside, a spiral ramp connects all the castle floors, from the burial chambers to the terrace. The building has 58 rooms, most of which can now be accessed by visitors. In the papal quarters, the walls are decorated with Renaissance-era frescoes. On the top of the building, there is a statue of the legendary Archangel Michael who saved the city from plague in the 6th century. Many of the statues and artifacts belonging to the era of Emperor Adrian were destroyed by the Goths during the Middle Ages. However, you can still find plenty of treasures from the history of the castle well-preserved in the museum.

Plan your Visit to Castel Sant Angelo

How To Reach

  • By Bus: Board buses with any of these route numbers 23, 24, 40, 280, 982, and n3s to reach the closest bus stop to the castle, Pza Pia/Castel S. Angel.
  • By Train: Train number 19 will take you to Risorgimento/S. Pietro, the closest train station from the Castel Sant’Angelo.
  • By Towncar: You can also hire a town car to Castel Sant'Angelo. However, the fare could be higher than that of bus and train.

Best Time To VisitThe ideal time to visit Castel Sant'Angelo is during the winter season (November to March) or during the autumn season (September to October). This is because the Roman weather is fairly pleasant during these seasons, as opposed to the summers when temperatures are high and the weather is dry. If you visit the Castel Sant'Angelo during the summer, it is best to go in the evening when it is cooler.

LocationCastel Sant'Angelo, Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Opening hours: 9.00 AM to 7.30 PM.

FAQ’s About Castel Sant Angelo

When was Castel Sant’Angelo Rome built?

Castel Sant’Angelo was built between 123 AD - 139 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.

What is the Castel Sant’Angelo Rome famous for?

Castel Sant’Angelo is famous for its rich history and stunning Roman architecture from different periods. The museum currently holds an impressive collection of Roman statues, frescoes, art, weaponry, and military warfare that are a testament to the long past of the castle.

Suggested Read: Timings of St. peter's Basilica

Which is the duration of the ticket of Castel Sant Angelo?

The tour duration of Castel Sant’Angelo tickets usually ranges from an hour to four hours.

On which days is the museum closed?

Entry to Castel Sant'Angelo is closed on January 1 (New Year), May 1 (Labor Day), and December 25 (Christmas).

Which is the opening time of Castel Sant Angelo?

Castel Sant’Angelo is open for visitors from Monday to Friday from 9.00 AM to 7.30 PM.

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Is Castel Sant'Angelo part of Vatican City?

Castel Sant’Angelo is located at a short distance from the Vatican city and is even connected to it with a secret passageway. However, it is officially a part of Rome, Italy.

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What is inside Castel Sant’Angelo?

The museum of Castel Sant’Angelo houses great historic treasures and artworks belonging to different eras in the history of Rome. Besides these relics, there are numerous must-visit attractions, such as Hadrian’s mausoleum, the papal refuge, and the Sant’Angelo terrace where you can get picturesque views of Rome and the city beyond.

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