Hadrian's Mausoleum
Originally built as Hadrian’s Mausoleum, this monumental tomb was designed by the emperor, himself, and overlooked the Vatican field.
Its cylindrical structure was covered in greenery with a bronze statue of Hadrian on a chariot overlooking the surrounding area. The internal spiral ramp led to the funeral cell containing big cinerary urns.
atop the tomb to Pope Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I), signifying the
Castel Sant'Angelo under Construction
The tomb, which housed the burials of roman emperors up to Caracalla, was converted into a fortress. The citizens of Rome, sieged by barbarians in the 6th century, took shelter inside and used statues and decorations as projectiles to defend themselves.
A Direct Route to the Vatican
Beginning in the 14th-century, the popes began to convert the fortress into a castle of papal residences. The castle was soon
, a fortified corridor. Raphael’s pupils adorned the castle with grotesque frescos, golden stuccos, and sparkling marble floors. However, the castle hides a dark heart;
, housing criminals and innocents alike. Castel Sant’Angelo hides a dynamic story of change, war, fortune, and endless intrigue.