Rome: Visit Castel Sant’ Angelo on a Half Day Small Group Tour

A visit to Castel Sant’Angelo (Hadrian’s Mausoleum) is a true experience spanning the centuries, allowing you to better understand the development of the city of Rome from the imperial era to the present day. The monument was built by Emperor Hadrian and, over time, became first a fortress and then a residence for the Popes. It is considered a symbol of Rome’s imperial power and papal authority. During the tour, we will witness the building’s transformation from a monumental tomb to a fortress and residence. We will hear and see the secret places and numerous stories surrounding the building, which was connected to the papal palaces by a secret corridor called the “Passetto di Borgo,” an escape route to ensure the Pope’s safety. After visiting the Castle, we will cross Borgo Pio and, walking along the Vatican Walls, reach St. Peter’s Square to visit Bernini’s famous Colonnade, an imposing elliptical structure that surrounds the square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.