The Castel Sant'Angelo was built in 130-139AD by Antonio Pio, as a mausoleum for emperor Hadrian and his family, and was also used by later caesars. But like other mausoleums, it was converted into a military fortification in 271AD.
In 1277 the Castel was connected to the Vatican by its famous corridor, which runs on top of the wall to the Vatican, offering the pope a safe passage between the Vatican and the fortress in case of attacks on the Vatican.
The ramp between floor 1 and floor 2 spirals upwards for 120 meters or 400 feet. Floor 2 was used as a prison - Giordano Bruno spent 6 years here - and as storage area for provisions like wheat and oil.
Floor 3 is the military floor, where most of the weapons were kept. A collection of these weapons are still available as part of the museum displays. The Castel Sant'Angelo was part of the fortifications of Rome until 1901, when it became a National Museum.
The Castel Sant'Angelo is named after the statue of the Archangel Michael on the roof. The story has it that the angel appeared on the roof in 590, and sheathed its sword in a symbolic gesture, telling the city of Rome that the plague which had been sweeping its inhabitants was now over.
The Ponte Sant'Angelo across The Tiber in front of the Castel Sant'Angelo was built at the same time as the tomb.
![[Nice curvy line]](./grafik/niceline.gif){kind=small}