Lungotevere Castello

Lungotevere Castello is a picturesque stretch of the Lungotevere in Rome that extends from Piazza di Ponte Sant’Angelo to Piazza dei Tribunali, in the districts of Borgo and Prati. It takes its name from the monumental Castel Sant’Angelo, originally built as the Mausoleum of Hadrian between 134 and 139 AD. Along the Tiber River, this lungotevere is a perfect example of how Roman history is deeply rooted in the city’s topography. Castel Sant’Angelo, which dominates the scene, has had multiple lives over the centuries. Born as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family, it was later transformed into a military fortress by Emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century. In the Middle Ages, the castle became a papal residence and a prison. Legend has it that during a plague in 590 AD, Pope Gregory the Great had a vision of the Archangel Michael sheathing his sword above the castle, a sign of the end of the plague. Hence the name “Castel Sant’Angelo”. The castle is connected to the Vatican through the Passetto di Borgo, a fortified corridor built in 1277 by Pope Nicholas III, used by popes as an escape route in case of danger. During the Sack of Rome in 1527, Pope Clement VII used the Passetto to take refuge in the castle. This secret passage adds a touch of mystery and charm to the complex. Lungotevere Castello is not only the backdrop of Castel Sant’Angelo, but also a place rich in history and urban transformations. In the late 19th century, the city plan of Rome, under the reign of Victor Emmanuel II, included the construction of embankments to control the frequent floods of the Tiber. This project, started in 1876 and completed in 1926, involved the demolition of many historic buildings along the riverbanks, including ancient palaces and churches, to make way for new avenues. One of the most fascinating aspects of Lungotevere Castello is the combination of ancient Roman structures and Renaissance architecture. For example, the Ponte Sant’Angelo, built by Hadrian to connect his mausoleum to the city center, was enriched in the 17th century with ten statues of angels designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, creating a spectacular walkway towards the castle. The castle itself is a museum housing a vast collection of artworks, ancient weapons, and historical relics. Among the most fascinating rooms are the papal apartments, decorated with frescoes by artists such as Perin del Vaga and Giulio Romano, students of Raphael. The Loggia of Julius II and the Loggia of Paul III offer splendid views of the Tiber and the city of Rome. On the castle’s roof, the Terrace of the Angel offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city, with the famous statue of the Archangel Michael towering at the top.