Rome Castel Sant'Angelo History Tour

Join this 2.5-hour tour to discover the mysteries of Castel Sant'Angelo together with an expert, English-speaking guide.
Meet your guide at the entrance of the medieval fortress, walk across the drawbridge and enter into the world of secret passageways, art and history. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family, the building has been used and transformed many times over the years. Today it is a museum, home to Renaissance frescoes, artworks, ancient weapons and more. Though its past is not forgotten, on this tour you'll discover how the Popes converted the structure into a castle, which connected to St. Peter's Basilica through the passetto (an elevated passageway) and how it was also used by the Popes as their private residence, a prison, a place for public executions and the State Treasury.
The tour will end in Piazza Navona where you can admire the Fountains of Bernini, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Pamphili Palace, and the Church of Saint Agnes.

Meeting Point

Castel Sant'Angelo

Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Meet your guide just outside Castel'Sant'Angelo main entrance. Your guide will be holding a sign with the lead passenger's name.

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Castel Sant'Angelo

Lungotevere Castello 50, Rome, 00193

The Castel Sant' Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family between 134 - 139 AD. In the 14th Century the heavyset, round looking building was converted into a castle and used by the Popes. There was a secret tunnel made to connect the castle to St. Peter's Basilica and was used as a refuge during the siege in 1527. The Papal State also used the fortress as a prison and execution ground. These days it's a museum and wonderful Renaissance frescoes as well as other works of art can be seen on the second floor. On the third floor is the setting to Puccini's famous opera, Tosca. Go underground and discover the secret tunnels that prisons and Popes walked and hear the many stories from back in the days.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Piazza Navona

Rome, 00186

One of the most famous squares in Rome is Piazza Navona. Walk around the charming piazza and take in the beauty of its beautiful fountains. Don't miss Bernini's magnificent fountain of the four rivers, which sits in the centre and has an Egyptian obelisk atop.

20 minutes