Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angle) was specifically built for Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum (tomb) for himself and his family. Later, the site used by the popes as a fortress. Today, it is also known as the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo. The statue of an angle with a sword on top of the castle was a result of when Pope Gregory the Great, during a parade to plead for the end of a plague, saw an angel standing on the top of the castle sheathing its sword. Since then, it became Castel Sant’Angelo.
The Castel Sant’Angelo is located on the bank of river Tiber and is not very far from Vatican. This was the reason why popes used it as a fortress. Castel Sant’Angelo is connected by a bridge, the Pont Sant'Angelo, to the city. There are many statues of angels on the bridge that was added during the Renaissance.
The Castle has five floors starting with a long winding ramp. Those floors were used for storage, prison cells and courtyards for military purposes. On the fourth floor, there are the magnificent papal rooms. The best part of the top floor is a terrace where you can sit down having a light lunch and enjoy the marvelous views of the historic city. You might know the terrace was famous because in act 3 of the Puccini’s opera Tosca where Floria Tosca jumped from the rooftop.
The museum has various exhibits ranging from Renaissance paintings and pottery to antique military weapons.
The Castel Sant’Angelo is located on the bank of river Tiber and is not very far from Vatican. This was the reason why popes used it as a fortress. Castel Sant’Angelo is connected by a bridge, the Pont Sant'Angelo, to the city. There are many statues of angels on the bridge that was added during the Renaissance.
The Castle has five floors starting with a long winding ramp. Those floors were used for storage, prison cells and courtyards for military purposes. On the fourth floor, there are the magnificent papal rooms. The best part of the top floor is a terrace where you can sit down having a light lunch and enjoy the marvelous views of the historic city. You might know the terrace was famous because in act 3 of the Puccini’s opera Tosca where Floria Tosca jumped from the rooftop.
The museum has various exhibits ranging from Renaissance paintings and pottery to antique military weapons.
More photos please click the photo below for larger picture
James Huang - All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment