Castel Sant’Angelo or originally the Mausoleum of Hadrian is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome. It was initially built to serve as a mausoleum for the Roman emperor Hadrian and his family. The construction of this magnificent structure is generally dated between 134 and 139 AD, with Hadrian’s ashes deposited there following his death in 138 AD.

Over time, Castel Sant’Angelo underwent significant transformations. In 401 AD, Emperor Flavius Augustus Honorius included it within Rome’s Aurelian Walls, leading to the loss of many contents of Hadrian’s mausoleum. Later, it evolved into a medieval stronghold and a prison.

The castle’s name, Sant’Angelo is derived from a legend. It is believed that in 590 AD, during a plague Archangel Michael appeared on its top to one of the popes. To commemorate this, the mausoleum was renamed to ‘Castel Sant’Angelo’ and a statue of Archangel Michael was placed on top of the castle.

In the 14th century, the popes began using Castel Sant’Angelo as a place of safety and refuge during times of danger. Pope Nicholas III, in 1277, connected it to the Vatican Palace through the Passetto di Borgo, a secret corridor above street level. The castle was not only used as a fortress but also as a residence. Pope Alexander VI transformed it into a sumptuous palace with gardens and fountains. The papal apartments, built and decorated under various popes, became a place of luxurious living and social gatherings. The fortress also housed the Vatican Archive and Treasury, and functioned as a courthouse and prison, incarcerating notable figures like Giordano Bruno.

As in the case of other Roman buildings, some building elements and artwork used in its original decoration were taken to be used at Saint Peter’s. Stone columns and other ornamental items were taken to enhance the decoration of Saint Peter’s Basilica. This practice was part of a broader trend during certain periods of history, especially in the Renaissance, where materials and artworks from ancient Roman buildings were often reused in newer constructions.

In 1901, Castel Sant’Angelo was decommissioned and later turned into a museum, the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo.

The Sant’Angelo bridge that leads directly to the castle was built in ancient times as well. Today it is a pedestrian zone. Its current design with ten statues of angels is of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Bernini managed to finish; however, only two of the ten sculptures. The remaining angels are works of other sculptors. (Photo by Pexels)