Castel Sant’Angelo

Providing a picturesque approach from the
center of Rome and the right bank of the
Tiber, the Pons Aelius  is world-acclaimed
for its Baroque statues of angels holding
aloft elements of the Passion of Christ.
Saunter down this precious piece of
Roman architecture and immerse into
the darkness of the cylindrical castle at
the far end:This former mausoleum to
the formidable Roman emperor
Hadrian (build 117-138 AD) is an
awe-inspiring sight perched stately in
the heart of Rome. The mausoleum --
once the tallest building in Rome --
was a decorated cylinder, equipped
with a garden atop and a golden
quadriga. Later -- while inhabited by
roman popes -- it was used as a castle
and fortress. Today, its richly frescoed
seventeenth century halls are home to
the "Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'
Angelo'. Unveiling prisons, collections
of antique arms, uniforms, relics of the
reunification states, artworks by Carlo
Crivelli, Luca Signorelli, and Dosso
Dossi, a collection of ancient marbles,
ceramics, and sculptures, it is a historic
location not to be missed.



Foto 1.: Mario Proto