Night visit of Castel Sant’Angelo

September 15, 2009

After 20:00

The National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo that we will visit rises on the skillful side of the Tevere, near to the Basilica of Saint Peter and gives Via della Conciliazione. Situated in the heart of a zone particularly rich of historical and artistic testimony of exceptional relief, the Castle is close to the Palace of Justice and Piazza Cavour, and it represents one of the most enchanting places in Rome. The visit will during about an hour and will show you the characteristics of the museum in the night, when it becomes more fascinating thanks to the lights enlighting it.

Castel Sant’Angelo is an imperial tomb crowned with statues, built by Hadrian for himself and his successors. It was converted into a fortress when Rome was besieged by the Goths in 537 AD and statues were hurled down on the besiegers. It is named after the angel seen on its top by St Gregory the Great in 590 when he was heading a procession to pray for the cessation of a plague. The angel was seen in the act of sheathing his sword and this was interpreted as a sign of the end of the plague, which actually ended. Since then a statue of an angel reminds of the event. Similar angels can be seen in Vienna.

Pope Alexander VI widely restored Castel Sant’Angelo and Clemens VII suffered here a terrible siege in 1527 (the Sack of Rome). Pope Paulus III built the rich papal apartment to make sure in a new siege the Pope had an appropriate place to stay. Pope Urbanus VIII as well as many other Popes left his mark. The different building techniques are still clearly visible in the gigantic walls of the main tower. The XVII Th century entrance to Castel Sant’ Angelo was moved to a lateral wall in the late XIX Th century. Dan Brown set here an episode of his novel Angels and Demons.

For more information please visit the official website: www.castelsantangelo.com

How to arrive

From Viale dello Scalo San Lorenzo ( near to our University):

  • On foot for 150 metri until the bus stop “P.ZA DI PORTA MAGGIORE” and take the line “105 (TERMINI (MA-MB-FS))” for 5 bus stops.
  • Get off at the busstop “TERMINI (MA-MB-FS)” and take the line “40 (P.ZA PIA/CASTEL S. ANGELO)” for 8 bus stops.
  • Get off at the bus stop “P.ZA PIA/CASTEL S. ANGELO”
  • On foot for 250 metri until “Lungotevere Castello , 1”

From Stazione Termini:

  • Get off at the busstop “TERMINI (MA-MB-FS)” and take the line “40 (P.ZA PIA/CASTEL S. ANGELO)” for 8 bus stops.
  • Get off at the bus stop “P.ZA PIA/CASTEL S. ANGELO”
  • On foot for 250 metri until Llungotevere Castello , 1”

From Via Spallanzani:

  • On foot for 100 metri until the bus stop “NOMENTANA/TRIESTE” and take the line “62 (BORGO S. ANGELO)” for 18 bus stops.
  • Get off at the bus stop “PONTE VITTORIO EMANUELE”
  • On foot for 300 metri until “Lungotevere Castello , 1”