Saint Angelo Castle is a massive structure situated on the banks of the Tiber river. The castle is connected to the Vatican Palace through the Vatican Corridor because it was used by popes as a fortress in times of uncertainty. Today, there is a museum inside the complex exhibiting objects from the castle's 2,000-year history.
After visiting the famous Vatican Museums you can walk to Saint Angelo Castle or take a cab. Unless you really like to walk, the walk from the main square in Vatican to Saint Angelo is not particularly interesting, so taking a cab is a better option. You can save your strength for exploring the inside of the castle and enjoying views from the bridge. You don’t have to enter the museum to get a good view of the castle since the bridge leading up to it is open to pedestrians.
The bridge is lined with giant angel statues, and an even more massive angel sits on top of the fortress, no doubt placed there as a symbol of protection for when the city was in trouble from invaders. The fortress has no windows which made it more easily defendable. Enjoy scenic views up and down the river during your approach to the castle.
Saint Angelo Castle was built initially as Roman Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum in the 2nd century. Later, the structure was fortified and used as a fortress. If you enter the museum, you can also enjoy a spectacular view or Rome from the castle's terrace. For more information, can call +39-06-6875036.
There aren’t many restaurants nearby, so once you are done exploring this area, you can take a cab back to your hotel or the Spanish Steps to find and outdoor café for a light snack, or a gourmet restaurant.
