Castel Sant Angelo
A historic fortress offering panoramic views, rich history, and centuries of art and architecture.
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Skip the line at Castel Sant’Angelo and head straight inside with your pre-booked ticket—no waiting in long queues.
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Uncover hidden stories and architectural marvels as you wander through grand corridors and scenic viewpoints of this imperial mausoleum, papal fortress-turned-museum
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You can also upgrade your visit with a hosted entry for a seamless start or add an audio guide or guidebook to make the most of your castle experience.
More details
-
Skip the line at Castel Sant’Angelo and head straight inside with your pre-booked ticket—no waiting in long queues.
-
Uncover hidden stories and architectural marvels as you wander through grand corridors and scenic viewpoints of this imperial mausoleum, papal fortress-turned-museum
-
You can also upgrade your visit with a hosted entry for a seamless start or add an audio guide or guidebook to make the most of your castle experience.
-
Bypass the queues with fast-track entry and step straight into the heart of Castel Sant’Angelo.
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Discover how this monument transformed from an emperor’s mausoleum to a papal stronghold with stories only an expert guide can tell.
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Learn the legend of Archangel Michael and the statue that still guards the castle’s summit.
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Unpack centuries of Roman history—from emperors and popes to prisoners and plots—in a single visit.
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Short on time? Choose the express tour to capture the castle’s must-see highlights in just 1–2 hours.
More details
-
Bypass the queues with fast-track entry and step straight into the heart of Castel Sant’Angelo.
-
Discover how this monument transformed from an emperor’s mausoleum to a papal stronghold with stories only an expert guide can tell.
-
Learn the legend of Archangel Michael and the statue that still guards the castle’s summit.
-
Unpack centuries of Roman history—from emperors and popes to prisoners and plots—in a single visit.
-
Short on time? Choose the express tour to capture the castle’s must-see highlights in just 1–2 hours.
-
Enjoy host-assisted entry to bypass queues and seamlessly begin your monument exploration.
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Wander through the spiral staircase and papal chambers at your own pace with insightful commentary from a multilingual audio guide.
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Wrap up at the terrace with the famous Archangel Michael statue and panoramic views of Tiber.
More details
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Enjoy host-assisted entry to bypass queues and seamlessly begin your monument exploration.
-
Wander through the spiral staircase and papal chambers at your own pace with insightful commentary from a multilingual audio guide.
-
Wrap up at the terrace with the famous Archangel Michael statue and panoramic views of Tiber.
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Save money on this exciting combo, which includes priority access to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Castle Sant’Angelo.
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See works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Bernini, and more at the Vatican Museums.
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Explore Michelangelo's iconic ceiling and wall frescoes in the magnificent Sistine Chapel.
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Explore Castel Sant’Angelo, once the Mausoleum of Hadrian, and uncover over 2,000 years of history with your audio guide in English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, French or German.
More details
-
Save money on this exciting combo, which includes priority access to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Castle Sant’Angelo.
-
See works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Bernini, and more at the Vatican Museums.
-
Explore Michelangelo's iconic ceiling and wall frescoes in the magnificent Sistine Chapel.
-
Explore Castel Sant’Angelo, once the Mausoleum of Hadrian, and uncover over 2,000 years of history with your audio guide in English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, French or German.
5% off
- Explore two iconic sites—Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon—with a single, value-for-money combo ticket.
- Step into a papal fortress at Castel Sant’Angelo and uncover legends, royal secrets, and views over the Tiber.
- Visit the Pantheon, Rome’s best-preserved ancient monument, and admire its massive dome and open oculus.
- Learn as you go with an audio guide at the Pantheon, diving into its transformation from temple to church.
- Discover how Rome evolved from pagan rituals to papal rule—all at your own pace and without breaking the bank.
More details
- Explore two iconic sites—Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon—with a single, value-for-money combo ticket.
- Step into a papal fortress at Castel Sant’Angelo and uncover legends, royal secrets, and views over the Tiber.
- Visit the Pantheon, Rome’s best-preserved ancient monument, and admire its massive dome and open oculus.
- Learn as you go with an audio guide at the Pantheon, diving into its transformation from temple to church.
- Discover how Rome evolved from pagan rituals to papal rule—all at your own pace and without breaking the bank.
15% off
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Discover two papal landmarks in one seamless combo, the Vatican’s artistic heart and the Pope’s summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.
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Enjoy timed entry to Castel Gandolfo’s Apostolic Palace and walk through its tranquil Secret Garden dotted with fountains, sculptures, and panoramic lake views.
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Skip the lines at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with reserved entry to explore centuries of art, from ancient relics to Michelangelo’s ceiling masterpiece.
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Experience the striking contrast between Rome’s grandeur and the peaceful charm of the Alban Hills, just 40 minutes away.
More details
-
Discover two papal landmarks in one seamless combo, the Vatican’s artistic heart and the Pope’s summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.
-
Enjoy timed entry to Castel Gandolfo’s Apostolic Palace and walk through its tranquil Secret Garden dotted with fountains, sculptures, and panoramic lake views.
-
Skip the lines at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with reserved entry to explore centuries of art, from ancient relics to Michelangelo’s ceiling masterpiece.
-
Experience the striking contrast between Rome’s grandeur and the peaceful charm of the Alban Hills, just 40 minutes away.
21% off
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With timed entry to the Passetto di Borgo and skip-the-line access to Castel Sant’Angelo, you can explore hidden passages and centuries of history without the wait.
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Explore Passetto di Borgo, a passage hidden for centuries, and walk the same path as the popes who used it as an escape route.
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Enter Castel Sant’Angelo and leisurely explore its terrace, papal apartments, and preserved weaponry. Enjoy a view of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Tiber river from its terrace and marvel at the craftsmanship of Archangel Michael’s statue.
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Add a guided tour to Passetto di Borgo and learn about papal secrets and shadowy legends associated with the passage.
More details
-
With timed entry to the Passetto di Borgo and skip-the-line access to Castel Sant’Angelo, you can explore hidden passages and centuries of history without the wait.
-
Explore Passetto di Borgo, a passage hidden for centuries, and walk the same path as the popes who used it as an escape route.
-
Enter Castel Sant’Angelo and leisurely explore its terrace, papal apartments, and preserved weaponry. Enjoy a view of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Tiber river from its terrace and marvel at the craftsmanship of Archangel Michael’s statue.
-
Add a guided tour to Passetto di Borgo and learn about papal secrets and shadowy legends associated with the passage.
-
Experience Rome’s rich history, art, and panoramic views: all with one convenient ticket.
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Ride the glass elevator at the Altar of the Fatherland for sweeping, unobstructed views over Rome’s iconic skyline.
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Discover Italy’s unification story at the Museum of the Risorgimento and admire Renaissance art at Palazzo Venezia.
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Explore opulent papal apartments, ancient prison cells and Renaissance frescoes at Castle Sant'Angelo
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This combo saves you time and money while covering two of Rome’s most celebrated historic sites.
More details
-
Experience Rome’s rich history, art, and panoramic views: all with one convenient ticket.
-
Ride the glass elevator at the Altar of the Fatherland for sweeping, unobstructed views over Rome’s iconic skyline.
-
Discover Italy’s unification story at the Museum of the Risorgimento and admire Renaissance art at Palazzo Venezia.
-
Explore opulent papal apartments, ancient prison cells and Renaissance frescoes at Castle Sant'Angelo
-
This combo saves you time and money while covering two of Rome’s most celebrated historic sites.
5% off
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See Rome's highlights with the Roma Pass – your key to one or two free attractions of choice and unlimited transport, saving you a whopping 20% along the way.
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Sidestep ticket-buying madness and breeze into the Colosseum or Borghese Gallery for free! Then enjoy sweet discounts at Circus Maximus, Villa Torlonia, and more.
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Roaming Rome becomes a breeze as your pass unlocks unlimited rides on all ATAC buses, metro, and railway lines.
-
After online purchase, just grab your physical pass from any city Infopoint and immediately start your Roman exploration.
-
With 48h or 72h options, you'll have all the time you need to explore ancient landmarks, secret corners, and savor mouthwatering Roman delicacies.
More details
-
See Rome's highlights with the Roma Pass – your key to one or two free attractions of choice and unlimited transport, saving you a whopping 20% along the way.
-
Sidestep ticket-buying madness and breeze into the Colosseum or Borghese Gallery for free! Then enjoy sweet discounts at Circus Maximus, Villa Torlonia, and more.
-
Roaming Rome becomes a breeze as your pass unlocks unlimited rides on all ATAC buses, metro, and railway lines.
-
After online purchase, just grab your physical pass from any city Infopoint and immediately start your Roman exploration.
-
With 48h or 72h options, you'll have all the time you need to explore ancient landmarks, secret corners, and savor mouthwatering Roman delicacies.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
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About Castel St. Angelo
Castel Sant'angelo, a historic fortress in Rome, is a testament to the city's rich history and evolution. Previously a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, today it is a museum of archeological wonders, intricate frescoes and precious artifacts. It also offers panoramic city views, connecting to St. Peter's Basilica via the Passetto di Borgo.
Originally known as the "Mausoleum of Hadrian," the castle acquired its current name in 590 AD when legend suggests that the Archangel Michael appeared atop the castle, ending a plague in Rome.
Castel Sant'Angelo is linked to the Vatican by a secret elevated passageway called the Passetto di Borgo. This 800-meter corridor served as an escape route for popes during times of danger—most notably used by Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome in 1527.
The statue of the angel atop the castle has faced misfortune throughout history, being destroyed multiple times by various calamities before the current bronze statue was installed in 1753.
In the past, instead of the present sculptures, the bridge leading to the castle displayed the heads of executed individuals, serving as both a warning and a macabre form of decoration.
When initially constructed in 125 AD, Castel Sant'Angelo was the tallest structure in Rome, illustrating the city's far lower skyline during ancient times.
Why visit Castel St. Angelo?
Highlights
Wander through the labyrinth
A labyrinth of numerous courtyards, stately halls, the Castel Sant’Angelo has features 6 levels connected by a 400-meter spiral ramp. The castle has 58 rooms, most of which are now on display to the visitors. The remains of the original mausoleum are visible in the lower parts of the building, as are the ancient Roman walls and reconstructed rooms.
The Papal Apartments
The rooms that served as the Papal residence boast of ceramics, sculptures, and perfectly preserved frescoes from the Renaissance period. The Courtyard of the Angel gives you access to the apartments, where the bronze statue of the Archangel Michael, sculpted by Michelangelo apprentice, Raffaelo da Montelupo, stands.
The Terrace
The fifth floor of Castel Sant'Angelo opens to a beautiful viewing terrace. The terrace acted as the setting for the last act of Puccini's opera ‘Tosca’ where the heroine throws herself off the roof after her lover is executed. From here you get a panoramic view of Rome. Snag a table at the rooftop cafe to enjoy a meal with a view.
Ponte Sant’Angelo
Hadrian ordered a bridge that would connect his mausoleum to the city on the other side of the Tiber to be built. Named originally as Pons Aelius, the bridge took on the name Ponte Sant'Angelo. Sculptures of angels, inspired by the designs of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, adorn the bridge. You also get a scenic view of Castel Sant'Angelo from here.
Prisons and Dungeons
The prisons and dungeons at Castel Sant'Angelo hold a dark and historical significance. These underground chambers have witnessed various events throughout Rome's history, from imprisonments to clandestine meetings. Visitors can explore these spaces to gain insights into the castle's intriguing and often somber past.
Angel & Statues
Angel statues are prominent features of Castel Sant'Angelo. These sculptures, inspired by Gian Lorenzo Bernini's designs, adorn both the castle and Ponte Sant'Angelo, creating a unique and angelic atmosphere. These angel statues contribute to the castle's association with angels in Roman history and add to its architectural and artistic allure.
Renaissance Frescoes
Renaissance frescoes inside Castel Sant'Angelo showcase the artistic heritage of the Renaissance period in Italy. These exquisite wall paintings and artworks, preserved in the Papal Apartments, offer a glimpse into the cultural and artistic brilliance of the era. They provide a visual journey through the Renaissance's creative and intellectual achievements.
Plan your visit
Main entrance
There is only one entrance to enter the Castel Sant'Angelo, and the Ponte Sant' Angelo, or Aelian Bridge, connects the attraction to the other side of the Tiber. Visitors must cross this bridge to reach the attraction.
How to reach? The castle is about a 10-minute walk from either Piazza Navona on one side or the Vatican on the other. The Via Della Conciliazione leads to Castel Sant'Angelo, if you’re coming from St. Peter's Basilica. The Via Dei Coronari and the Via di Panico are the finest routes to use to reach the Sant'Angelo bridge if you're coming from Piazza Navona.
Last admission: 6:30pm
Closed on: Mondays, January 1, May 1, and December 25.
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