Castel Sant'Angelo & Ponte Sant'Angelo

50 Lungotevere Castello Roma

Medieval Fortress with Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel

Castel Sant'Angelo was originally constructed to be Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum and was later turned into the fortress of the popes in case of attack. In 847, Pope Leo IV had a wall constructed that extended from the castle around the local neighborhood, present day Vatican City, and parts of Trastevere. The fortress also played a role in protecting Pope Clement VII during the 1527 Sack of Rome. The Holy Father took up residence there for several months as the surrounding city was being looted.

According to tradition, St. Michael the Archangel appeared during a procession led by Pope St. Gregory the Great during a plague, and was observed as a sign to end the pandemic. Pope Boniface IV then had a church built inside the Castel in honor of St. Michael. Castel Sant'Angelo then became a place of devotion for prayers of intercession to heal the sick.

Bridge in front of the castle, Ponte Sant'Angelo, is the main pilgrim bridge heading from the historic center to the Vatican. Originially called the Aelian Bridge, it was built by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. GianLorenzo Bernini sculpted the baroque statues on the bridge. Each angel holds in its hands an instrument of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.