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Emperor
Hadrian had it built in 130 A.D. as his mausoleum. It held
the remains of the Imperial family until Caracalla. It rises
close to Victor Emmanuel II bridge in lungotevere Castello.
Originally it was much different from today's. Under emperor
Aurelian it was strongly fortified, in the 11th century a
tower was added and in 1277 it was occupied by the Pope who
added to it some apartments. The actual name roots in an old
legend on the bronzy 18th century angel, telling that during
the dreadful pestilence of 590 an angel appeared sheathing
his sword as a sign of granted grace. It was Used as shelter
for popes and as jail. To make it safer in 1277 it was
joined to the Vatican by the famous "Passetto". This long
fortified passageway allowed the pope to walk safely from
the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo. Today it is a Museum (National
Museum in Castel Sant�Angelo). There are collections of
weapons and documents about the history of the castle. All
rooms can be visited, from the jail to the pope's apartments
and all the numerous fully adorned rooms. You can see:
Apollo's room with frescoes by P. del Vaga�s school; Leo X's
chapel with Renaissance sculptures; Clemente VII's rooms
with works by G. Romano, T. Cats, L. Signorelli and others;
Paul III's loggia by R. da Montelupo; Giulio II's loggia by
Bramante; Paul III's apartment with the Paoline room
decorated by P. del Vaga, D. Beccafumi and others;
Adrianeo�s room and the Festoons' room with ST. Jerome
painted by L. Lotto. |