National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo

Visit Rome's ancient fortress and mausoleum on the bank of the River Tiber and see the Hall of Urns containing Hadrian's ashes. 

Enjoy entry to the National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass

• View the Courtyard of the Angel, the Hall of Urns and more in the Mausoleum of Hadrian.
• As part of this Rome and Vatican pass package, you’ll also receive an Omnia Card, which allows you free entry to Vatican attractions, as well as the Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.

The National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo, known to many as The Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a tomb to Emperor Hadrian which details the history of the building through collections of ancient Roman artefacts including pottery, paintings and military weapons. Built over 2,000 years ago, the building was later turned into a fortress and was used as a refuge for several Popes – and it was even used as a prison.

Highlights

• Hall of Urns
• Courtyard of the Angel
• Papal Apartments

Did you know

• The monument has gone through several different uses from a mausoleum, fortress and prison
• There’s a secret corridor which leads from Castel Sant’angelo to the Vatican, called the Passetto di Borgo
• The bronze statue of the archangel Michael on the roof depicts the legendary sighting of the spectre in the year 590 when he appeared and supposedly ended the destructive plague that had seized the city – it’s where the name comes from too, the Castle of the Saint Angel

Things to see

Courtyard of the Angel

This interior courtyard leads onto the Papal Apartments and was so called because it houses the original angel that used to perch on the top of the castle until 1747. The piazza has had other names, however, such as the ‘Courtyard of Shootings’ or ‘Courtyard of the Bell’ where from there it was possible to hear the bell tolling announcing the impending executions.

Papal Apartments

The Papal Apartments were notoriously lavish and they were known to have the most opulent of decorations and designs. It’s said that even one room was painted by Raphael. The infamous Borgia Pope, Alexandre VI built a sumptuously lavish apartment complete with gardens and fountains! Don’t miss the Farnese apartment which overlooks the Courtyard of the Angel, too.

Hall of Urns

At the heart of Castel Sant’angelo is the Hall of Urns where the urn of Hadrian’s ashes are believed to be kept. Explore this room right in the centre of the museum, and right in the centre of the stronghold.

Make the most of your Roma Pass

This attraction is included with your Roma Pass, which gives you free entry to your choice of two Rome attractions, plus discounted entry to many more. It also comes with a 72-hour travel card so you can breeze between attractions with ease.