Wasn’t planning to visit Italy, but the conflict in Israel resulted in the Italian airline flying me from Paris to visit my family in Israel refusing to fly to Israel for a few days. I think most Israelis were pretty upset with this unexpected forced vacation, but I didn’t mind, as long as Alitalia was paying for my stay I could have stayed for much longer. But, one day was all I got to tour the beautiful city of Rome. It was my first time visiting Rome, and I must admit it was a wonderful treat. Although overcrowded with annoying tourists and filled with tourist traps it still somehow manages to maintain its charm and beauty. Walking around the streets of Rome, with the gorgeous Piazzas and an endless collection of historical sites and amazing little restaurants and cafes, I thought it was magical. I wouldn’t mind living here for a few years, there’s just so much to see and do.
I first went to look at Vatican City but the lines were insane so I decided I need a good view of the city from above. Not too far away from the Vatican I found Castel Sant’Angelo which was perfect, with panoramic views in all directions…
What is this place? Wikipedia helps :
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as Castel Sant’Angelo (English: Castle of the Holy Angel), is a towering cylindrical building in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum. The Castel was once the tallest building in Rome.
The tomb of the Roman emperor Hadrian, also called Hadrian’s mole, was erected on the right bank of the Tiber, between 123 AD and 139 AD. Originally the mausoleum was a decorated cylinder, with a garden top and golden quadriga. Hadrian’s ashes were placed here a year after his death in Baiae in 138 AD, together with those of his wife Sabina, and his first adopted son, Lucius Aelius, who also died in 138 AD. Following this, the remains of succeeding emperors were also placed here, the last recorded deposition being Caracalla in 217 AD. The urns containing these ashes were probably placed in what is now known as the Treasury room deep within the building. Hadrian also built the Pons Aelius facing straight onto the mausoleum – it still provides a scenic approach from the center of Rome and the right bank of the Tiber, and is renowned for the Baroque additions of statues of angels holding aloft elements of the Passion of Christ.
So, yeah, there’s definitely some history to see, tombs and treasures, but first… the views…
And from the inside…
Lots of rooms to walk through and some yards with fortifications.
Location:
A great way to start off your Rome tour and your walk across Rome. What a beautiful city, and I was just very lucky with the weather and the (un)fortunate flight circumstances.