Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome

Favorite thing: Castel Sant'Angelo was built by the Emperor Hadrian (117-138) as a Mausoleum.
It became a fortress with the Emperor Aurelian.
In 1277 the Pope Nicholas II connected the Castle to the Vatican through the famous corridor. So the Popes used it as a fortress and as a prison and a place for torture.

Favorite thing: One thing is to visit the spots in Rome, another is to come up close with those spots; like going near to the monument of Emmanuel Vittorio or the tomb of the unknow soldier in Piazza Venezia, or going up to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica or come very close to the statue of St. Michael the Archangel at the top of Castel Santangelo, which I did to get a close peek of him.

Fondest memory: One thing that you should not miss doing is to be at least on the top of one of the important landmarks or monuments in Rome.

Favorite thing: If you think that Rome is splendid during the day, wait until the sun goes down and try going around the City. The best time to go around to seeyour faved tourist spots is around midnight , when all lights/lamp posts are turned on. The City will just become even more splendid.

Fondest memory: Driving around the city in the night is a different experience. When all the tourists, pedestrians and cars are gone, the City is just a place perfect to go around and just sight-see

When in Rome, don't miss this experience. Try going around the City and visit your favorite spots in the night . If you have company, you can do it by feet or someone can drive for you (take a cab, make sure you have company for safety and economic reasons as well or perhaps me and other VTrs in Rome can drive you around ;-), then it would be easier.

Favorite thing: The Castel S. Angelo was just about 5 blocks from our hotel. This is one of the older structures in Rome and used to be the home of a pope or two. A visit to the Castel is worth the price of admission. The exhibits are interesting, and the views of Rome are lovely. They even had a small instrumental ensemble performing on the terrace.

This was the only place we went to where they had one price for tourists, and a lower price for Romans. We failed miserably at our imitation of Roman locals, so we paid the higher price. It was still worth it.

Favorite thing: This bridge flanks Nero's bridge, further down-stream.

The bridge consists of three large central arches and two inclined ramps supported by three smaller arches on the right bank and two on the left bank. Most of the structural parts of the Mausoleum, which was incorporated into Castel S. Angelo in the Middle Ages, have been preserved.

Fondest memory: It was a beautiful day in October, so hot at 80 degrees that I had to buy a Michaelangelo castle from vendors outside of the castle.

Favorite thing: Originally built (AD 135-39) by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his successors, it was later decorated and fortified as a place of refuge for the popes.
Although outside of the Vatican city itself it was connected to the Vatican by a secret passage for their escape route in times of danger. It was used as a fortress and prison until 1870 and is now a museum - the Museo Nazionale Militare and of Art.

Favorite thing: Back in Rome in the summer of 2003 it was so hot we decided to visit this fortress, which was begun in AD 139 as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum. Not only was it a cool place to escape the intense heat but it was really interesting and the views from the top were terrific. In fact I'd say it was the hilight of our return trip that summer. It has since been used as a citadel and prison. It has also been used as a residence of the popes in times of political unrest. It is now a museum with military relics and art works.

Favorite thing: We didn't get to go inside but this unusual castle caught my eye...

Castel Sant' Angelo was finished around 138 AD and has been used as a fortress, prison and palace. It now contains a museum of artillery and arms. I'm told the view from the palace are worth the visit though!

It is open in Summer Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 10 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am to 8 pm; Winter Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 2 pm.