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Castel
Sant'Angelo also known
Mausoleo Adriano |
"THE
HISTORY"
Emperor Adriano (117-138), died 62 years old with inexpressible
sufferings, wanted to be commemorated here, on the other shore of
Tevere, outside of the city walls. The original building was built
in 139 A.D. and it carried for long time the original name Mausoleo
Adriano till the terrible plague that tormented Rome in 585. In
those days Gregorio Il Grande, later become Pope, ordered to Romans
to make a procession till San Pietro's Basilica but when the dying
procession passed before the Mausoleo Adriano, Gregorio who was
leaading it saw an angel on the top who was replacing his sword
in the sheat. This vision immediately was interpreted as a God's
sign for the imminent end of the plague that in fact happened. From
that day on, the building changed its name in Castel Sant'Angelo
and an estatue representing the good angel can be seen nowadays
on the top of it. In the centuries the building changed a lot of
times destination of use having been a tower for observation of
the Aurelian wall since 271 A. D., a jail and the Popes' residence
in case of danger as it happened in 1527 during the Sack of Rome.
For this reason a secret corridor joining the building to San Pietro
was built in 1277 to allow a flight to the Pope in case of attack.
Nowadays Castel Sant'Angelo is an interesting museum opens every
day but mondays illustrating hte history of the building. Many rooms
are frescoed by Renaissance artists as Domenico Zaga and Perin del
Vaga (worthy of a visit is the Sala Paolina). The room where probably
Emperor Adriano was buried was converted in the "treasure room"
in 1586 by Pope Sisto V who put the Vatican wealth inside a huge
wooden trunk still visible today. The top terrace offers to the
visitor the suggestion of the angel besides an amazing view of Rome
and an unforgettable sunset on San Pietro's Church. Opening
hours: Daily from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to
7p.m. Dec 24th and 31st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The box-office closes
1 hour before.Closed on Monday and Jan 1st, May 1st, Dec 25th.
Tickets: FULL 5.00 €. REDUCED
4,20 € (European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years old; -
European Union teachers of State schools only by showing valid
membership card); FREE € 2 (European Union citizens under 18 and
over 65 years old. - ICOM members (only by showing valid membership
card) - European Union school groups, upon reservation. - European
Union students and teachers in Architecture, History of Arts only
by showing valid membership card. - Journalists only by showing
valid membership card)
Official Web site: Musei
Capitolini di Roma |
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