Just a several minute walk down to Castel Sant'Angelo from the Vatican. This cylindrical building doesn’t look like a castle to me perhaps because it was originally used as a mausoleum for the Roman emperor, Hadrian when built in the 2nd century. Then it was turned into a fortress and was transformed into a papal residence and later a military prison.
Last time I was in Rome, I only saw it from outside. So this time I wanted to try going inside.
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The castle is connected to the Ponte district by the Ponte Sant'Angelo, the bridge over the Tiber River. Its many statues were added later. |
| This five-arch bridge, too, was designed by the great sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Ten angel sculptures are guarding the bridge. |
As I went up to the 3rd floor, another bridge could be seen afar off. That one is called Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II over the meandering Tiber. |
Looking further toward the west, St. Peter's Basilica afar off. |
I found a cafe at the terrace where I took a bit of a break, sipping a cappuccino, and enjoyed a big view of the Vatican. |
