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Castel Sant’Angelo Tour

LIVE TOURSMUSEUMS&GALLERIESCastel Sant’Angelo Tour​

On the wings of the Angel: Castel Sant'Angelo Tour

You might have noticed the angel that sits atop this impressive building. Have a look from a city balcony or peek out of a window of the Vatican Museums, you will notice and recognize it: “Castel Sant’Angelo”! THE CASTLE OF THE HOLY ANGEL!

Castel Sant'Angelo Tour

GOOD TO KNOW

THE TOMB THAT WAS TURNED INTO A FORTRESS

Il tour serale dei Musei Vaticani ti consente di entrare un questo magnifico luogo quando le porte chiudono al pubblico.

Non è disponibile tutto l’anno, quindi è un’occasione speciale per godere dei musei in un’atmosfera diversa, fuori orario e fuori dal comune.

Why was this castle built? Who built it? Is this a real castle? Why “Angel”? Is that a real castle moat?! Get all the answers in this charming Castel San’Angelo tour!

Would you believe that before being turned into a castle by the popes this was …a tomb?? Follow our licensed, local guides and discover all the secrets of the tomb of Publio Elio Adriano…Hadrian the Emperor who built the wall!! Perhaps the most fascinating among the Roman emperors: philosopher, sculptor, architect, painter and…Emperor in his spare time! Hadrian chose the right bank of the river Tiber to build a mausoleum for himself and his family: our guides will captivate you with the incredibile story of his life!

FIRST A MAUSOLEUM AND THEN A FORTRESS!

In the 6th century this imposing mausoleum became a part of the Roman fortifications and was later turned into a strategic fortress by the Popes.
STRONG, HUGE, AWAY FROM THE CITY CENTER…It was soon clear that anyone taking refuge in this fortress would be safe!
From the Middle Ages onwards the castle was used as a prison; ask your local guide about the “controversial” methods used to re-educate prisoners and how the Popes complained of their unexpected resistance! Some say that their ghosts have still not abandoned the building …

…AND BACK TO POPES!

Discover the crests of the powerful families that have bought, renovated, changed and finally pillaged Castel S. Angelo up to the year 1277 when it was finally placed back into the hands of the Popes.

During Castel Sant’Angelo Tour your professional guide will enchant you with the adventurous story of the famous “Passetto”: a hanging passageway still running from the Vatican State to the Castle.
In times of danger it provided sanctuary to the Popes, helping them get quickly away from the papal apartments in case of attack! Most famously, as our guides will tell you, Pope Clemente VI holed up here during the 1527 sack of Rome!

Climb a few steps up to the terrace and enjoy an UNFORGETTABLE VIEW over Rome; you will be where Tosca, the immortal Puccini opera character, took her life!

CASTEL SANT’ANGELO TOUR: FROM A PRISON TO A PALACE!

We owe its present beauty, along with its Renaissance interiors and gorgeous paintings to the Popes. You will admire the beautiful sala Paolina and the frescoes by Raphael’s pupils…not to be missed!

A TOMB, A FORTRESS, A PRISON, A LUXURIOUS PALACE, AN OPERA SETTING, AND ONE OF THE BEST VIEWS OVER ROME… WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?!

This tour will take you away from the crowds and carry you into the Roman age right up to the 19th century! You will learn about powerful emperors, intriguing popes, mad rushes, executions and much more!

DESCRIPTION

THE TOMB THAT WAS TURNED INTO A FORTRESS

You might have noticed the angel that sits atop this impressive building. Have a look from a city balcony or peek out of a window of the Vatican Museums, you will notice and recognize it: “Castel Sant’Angelo”! THE CASTLE OF THE HOLY ANGEL!

Why was this castle built? Who built it? Is this a real castle? Why “Angel”? Is that a real castle moat?! Get all the answers in this charming Castel San’Angelo tour!

Would you believe that before being turned into a castle by the popes this was …a tomb?? Follow our licensed, local guides and discover all the secrets of the tomb of Publio Elio Adriano…Hadrian the Emperor who built the wall!! Perhaps the most fascinating among the Roman emperors: philosopher, sculptor, architect, painter and…Emperor in his spare time! Hadrian chose the right bank of the river Tiber to build a mausoleum for himself and his family: our guides will captivate you with the incredibile story of his life!

FIRST A MAUSOLEUM AND THEN A FORTRESS!

In the 6th century this imposing mausoleum became a part of the Roman fortifications and was later turned into a strategic fortress by the Popes.
STRONG, HUGE, AWAY FROM THE CITY CENTER…It was soon clear that anyone taking refuge in this fortress would be safe!
From the Middle Ages onwards the castle was used as a prison; ask your local guide about the “controversial” methods used to re-educate prisoners and how the Popes complained of their unexpected resistance! Some say that their ghosts have still not abandoned the building …

…AND BACK TO POPES!

Discover the crests of the powerful families that have bought, renovated, changed and finally pillaged Castel S. Angelo up to the year 1277 when it was finally placed back into the hands of the Popes.

During Castel Sant’Angelo Tour your professional guide will enchant you with the adventurous story of the famous “Passetto”: a hanging passageway still running from the Vatican State to the Castle.
In times of danger it provided sanctuary to the Popes, helping them get quickly away from the papal apartments in case of attack! Most famously, as our guides will tell you, Pope Clemente VI holed up here during the 1527 sack of Rome!

Climb a few steps up to the terrace and enjoy an UNFORGETTABLE VIEW over Rome; you will be where Tosca, the immortal Puccini opera character, took her life!

CASTEL SANT’ANGELO TOUR: FROM A PRISON TO A PALACE!

We owe its present beauty, along with its Renaissance interiors and gorgeous paintings to the Popes. You will admire the beautiful sala Paolina and the frescoes by Raphael’s pupils…not to be missed!

A TOMB, A FORTRESS, A PRISON, A LUXURIOUS PALACE, AN OPERA SETTING, AND ONE OF THE BEST VIEWS OVER ROME…WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?!

This tour will take you away from the crowds and carry you into the Roman age right up to the 19th century! You will learn about powerful emperors, intriguing popes, mad rushes, executions and much more!

GENERAL INFORMATION
  • Your guide is local, LICENSED and specialized in Roman history
  • A perfect tour for your kids and for the whole family!
  • Castel S. Angelo is a few minutes away from S. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, it is a perfect tour to match with a Vatican Museums Tour!
  • TICKETS: The entrance fee is NOT included in the tour guide fees.
  • Cost of the tickets: 10€ adults; 5€ reduced tickets (under 18).

ASK for availability

People say about us…

  • star rating  What a wonderful experience led by our tour guide, Marta! Our children ages 7 and 5 really absorbed the stories and enjoyed their scavenger huntlooking for specific objects. ... read more

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    star rating  Our guide Francesca was fantastic! As an art historian and curator of street art, she really made the subject com alive. I strongly recommend this activity for anyone interested in... read more

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    star rating  Francesca‘s narrative is always the best. She is our joy of Rome. No one brings Rome to life better.

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    star rating  Loved this tour! Maria was AMAZING with my two boys (5.5 and 8 yrs) while touring the Colosseum in August. They are both shy, she was caring and kept them... read more

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  • star rating  Arianna showed my wife, our six year old son and I around the Colessuem. We all loved it. Very engaging, very informative and very friendly. Removed all... read more

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    star rating  We did four tours with Grace and found her to be extremely knowledgeable, speaking at length about the history, culture and traditions of the artifacts we saw. She answered all... read more

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    star rating  Took four tours with Joy of Rome and Francesca and Grace were a true Joy! We did the Vatican, catacombs, pantheon and colosseum. Highly recommend! Thanks so much ladies.

    KRMackey
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  • star rating  Francesca was a great guide. She engaged with my 8 yo and had lots of interesting details to share. Definitely a must do tour in Rome.

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    star rating  Great tour with not just historical facts but plenty of anecdotes that kept the teenagers attentive the whole time. Massimo was just fantastic. Period.

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    Would highly recommend this company and your .
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    star rating  Francesca was extremely knowledgeable. She has great enthusiasm for the art, artists, the gallery and helping us learn. She answered our questions and welcomed them. It deepened... read more

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    star rating  I would highly recommend Joy of Rome. The whole experience from booking the tickets by email to being guided to the meeting point to the tour itself was faultless.
    I... read more

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    star rating  SUPERLY AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEIR TOURS!!!
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