I did a tour today of this Castle and it turned out to be one of the best things I have done in Rome! I have seen some amazing things in this and other visits to Rome and have come to believe that guided tours are always a good idea. This one was awesome for a few reasons 1) It ended up being a private tour because I was the only one who signed up, 2) M y guide Guilia (Julia) was incredible, 3) The tour included 3 areas that you can't get to on your own - Il Passeto, the prison and the bathing room of Pope Clement VII.
The Castel was initially built by Hadrian to be a mausoleum for him and his family and over the centuries it has been used for many things
. It was, indeed where Hadrian was initially "buried." It has also been a fortress to protect Popes who were endangered in any way - Sack of Rome etc.. The Il Passeto was the link between St. Peter's and the Castel and I have always wanted to get up there. Today I did!!! I have read about this passage and, of course, it was features in Angels and Demons and have looked and looked to find tours that get you to it. It took a long time but I found it and I was not disappointed.
In addition to walking both the original protected level of the Passeto the tour also walks the "newer" upper level and stops at what is now the border of Italy and the Vatican. Awesome!!!
We then toured the prison cells which were used for torture and internment of anyone who broke the law at whatever time in history was current. This prison is featured in Puccini's Tosca.
Also included in this tour is the bathing area of Pope Clement VII which had hot and cold running water and frescos of various mythological gods who have left their attire to take a bath.
Julia provided so much information of the history of this amazing place I didn't want the tour to end.
I continued on my own to view of other rooms and I have photos!
Castel Sant'Angelo
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Rome, Latium, Italy
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Comments

2025-02-11
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m
2017-01-31
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! LOVE the photos - keep them coming.
brendaerickson
2017-01-31
Really interesting Carole, so glad you crossed that off your bucket list. Great photos and info!