August 29, 2010. The Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome figures prominently in the history of Rome and the history of the Church.
This indestructable fortress was built in the year 125 as the tomb for the Emperor Hadrian. Later the popes used it as a residence, a secure fortress and a high-security prison.
Now the castle's entrances are open allowing the hidden secrets of the place to be revealed. It's a personal view of the history of Rome and the Church.
Stefano Brachetti
Castel Sant'Angelo (Rome)
"Castel Sant'Angelo reflects the history of Rome. Like Rome, it came about during antiquity. Then it grew with the city and transformed it. The building's use has changed depending on who was in charge of the city ."
Tourists pass through this entrance now. But before you have seen emperors, popes, soldiers and prisoners going through.
In the year 1200, the tomb of Hadrian was used as fortress by the popes for protection and defense against attacks from the barbarians.
Stefano Brachetti
Castel Sant'Angelo (Rome)
"It was very important because the Vatican was outside the city walls, and so it had no opportunity to defend itself."
Gradually, Castel Sant'Angelo became a second residence for the popes. Each successor of Peter improved the structure and its interior. During the pontificate of Nicholas V, a papal apartment was built inside the Castle. It was decorated by his successor Alexander VI. In 1500, during the pontificate of Paul III, use of the castel reached its peak.
Stefano Brachetti
Castel Sant'Angelo (Rome)
"It is decorated to show the political role the pope had at the time, and to do this historical figures such as Alexander the Great were depicted - also since Pope Paul III's real name was Alessandro Farnese."
With the construction of Saint Peter's Basilica underway, the papal residence of Castel Sant'Angelo started to lose its importance.
Stefano Brachetti
Castel Sant'Angelo (Rome)
"After the pontificate of Paul III, there were few changes. During the 1600s the decline in use of the building began and it was converted into a prison and a barracks for defending Rome. "
Here in these cells is where some of the most dangerous prisoners or people who had committed serious crimes against the Papal States were held. Soldiers lived in the other rooms. When the Castle became property of Italy, the building was turned into a museum documenting the history of Italy, the Church and the arts.
BR
FF
JM
-WP-
