Castel Sant'Angelo in Italy, Rome resort
Rating: 7,8/10 (6745 votes)  Castel Sant'Angelo is an architectural monument located in Rome. Initially, the building was a tomb, then it became a castle, vault and residence of the popes, as well as a prison. Nowadays, the castle is a museum. The construction of the castle was started in 135 by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. Construction was completed in 139 by the successor of Adrian – Antoninus Pius. At the end of the construction, the tomb was similar to the Etruscan tumusul: on the base, which had a square shape, a cylinder was installed, which was crowned with a mound, and a sculpture of the emperor ruling the quadriga was installed on the top. The urns of the rulers of Rome were installed in the tomb, starting with Hadrian and ending with Septimius Severus. Later, the castle was included in the walls, built under Avrilian, and began to be used for strategic and military purposes. In 590, according to legend, during a pestilence epidemic, Pope Gregory the Great at the top of the fortress, the Archangel Michael was seen, sheathed his sword, as a sign of the end of the disaster. From here the castle got its name. During the Middle Ages, the castle was united by a fortified corridor with the Vatican passetto. Thanks to the popes, the castle was turned into a real fortified fortress. Throughout its existence, the castle has been rebuilt several times and all its premises belong to different eras. A spiral-shaped gallery, built during the time of Hadrian, led to a room that housed funerary urns. In the Angel's courtyard, there is a 16th century marble statue, which until the 18th century was located on the top of the castle. Anfilade of medieval halls dating from the 17th century extends from the courtyard. Court sessions were often held in the Hall of Justice in the 16th century. Also in the castle there is a courtyard of Alexander the Sixth, the loggia of Paul III, the Hall of Clement the Eighth, the loggia of Paul the Fourth, the Hall of Clement the Seventh, the papal apartments. The Secret Archives and the Hall of Treasures are interesting. We also recommend reading Gate of Maggiore in Italy, Rome resort Topic: Castel Sant'Angelo in Italy, Rome resort. |
