St. Angel's Castle Private Tour: Roman Mausoleum Turned Vatican Defense with Antique Collections
5.0
34 Ratings
Roma
Explore the fascinating history of St. Angel's Castle, a Roman mausoleum turned Vatican defense. Discover its rich frescoed halls, ancient collections, and breathtaking panoramic views.
Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Castel Sant’Angelo - The monument was built by emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD) together with the Aelius bridge in front of it to become a mausoleum for himself and for his successors.
    In the course of centuries it became the defensive rampart of the Vatican City, the site of a garrison, a prison, but also the offices of the Vatican Treasury and Archive.
    Today the interior of the castle can be visited with its seventeenth century rich frescoed halls (Hall of Apollo, Hall of Paolina decorated with the Stories of Alexander the Great, Hall of Perseus with episode of the myth of the Greek hero, Room of Amore and Psiche), the prisons, the collection of antique arms, the painting gallery (with works by Carlo Crivelli, Luca Signorelli, and Dosso Dossi), the collection of ancient marbles, ceramics, and sculptures.
    The terrace offers one of the best panoramic views of the Historical Center.
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Tickets
  • Professional guide
  • Private tour
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD) constructed the monument along with the Aelius bridge before it, intending it to serve as a mausoleum for him and his future successors. As years passed, it transitioned into the defensive barrier of the Vatican City, eventually hosting a military garrison, functioning as a prison, and housing the Vatican Treasury and Archive offices. Currently, visitors can tour the castle’s interior, replete with its seventeenth-century lavishly frescoed chambers (Apollo Hall, Paolina Hall adorned with the Tales of Alexander the Great, Perseus Hall with segments of the Greek hero myth, Room of Amore and Psiche), the dungeons, the collection of vintage weaponry, the art repository (featuring creations by Carlo Crivelli, Luca Signorelli, and Dosso Dossi), the collection of historic marbles, ceramics, and statues. The terrace provides an unsurpassed panoramic view of the Historical Center.

Location
Castel Sant'Angelo
Lungotevere Castello
We will meet in front of the entrance of the Castle. We will hold a sign with your name.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(34 Ratings)
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W3254mzbarbarag
Feb 6, 2024
The best Roman guide - Vincenzo is now our personal and affectionate guide when we arrive in Rome. Always very well prepared, he involves you in his explanations so much that he makes you love art and history even more. Thanks again Vincenzo! The best guide in Rome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stregatto1990
Aug 23, 2023
Discovering Castel Sant'Angelo - Visiting Castel Sant'Angelo in the evening with Vincenzo was passionate and stimulating, as well as narrating the lifestyle of the past, it made us appreciate every aspect of the castle, it seemed like we had gone back in time Super recommended tour, a beautiful experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
969riccardoz
Jul 31, 2022
really educationg and entertaining - We booked a private tour of Castel Sant Angelo with Vincenzo of RomeGuides few weeks ahead all through whatsapp. They are all very responsive and they make a point to contact you ahead of time to specify a meting point and a time. Vincenzo is from Rome and he deeply loves his city (how could he not!) he is passionate about knowing all there is to know about the 3000+ yo city. When explaining anything he really throws himself entirely in the explanation to the point that he becomes an attention magnet! Even if you are prone to distraction you are captured by his performance and will remember everything he says for the rest of your life. It's a unique experience our teenagers kids asked to have more tours like this one! Vincenzo also has a thorough knowledge about a lot of monuments or aspects or Rome for example you can ask him quesitons about any random statue or building you have seen in Rome and he would know the answer.... it's not just a job for him it's his passion! We will for certain contact RomeGuides again when we will be back in Rome!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annikaklein
Jul 31, 2022
Great Tour with profound information - I can highly recommend the private tour of Sant' Angelo Castle! The organization went smoothly, a few days before the start of the tour, there was also a WhatsApp message with the exact dates and a number in case there were any questions or problems. During the tour we were told the history of the castle from scratch, questions were welcome and were all answered easily understandable. Furthermore, the atmosphere was great, as we got two very friendly, funny and helpful Rome Guides, Martina and Barbara, as we could not have wished for better! It was by far the best tour we have taken in Rome and at the end there was even a little surprise as icing on the cake! I would book the tour again and again despite the price, it is really worth it and you get profound insights into the history of the castle and background information about the conditions at that time. Thank you very much, Martina and Barbara! 🙏☺️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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minimum 2 guests
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up to 10 guests
2 Adult
June 2024
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