From the famous bridge lined with beautiful angels’ statues, known as Ponte Sant’Angelo, you will see the magnificent Castel Sant‘Angelo standing out against the sky: here it starts your amazing journey back in time… Learn about the fascinating history of this towering building, once known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, from the great Roman Emperor who commissioned it as a majestic tomb for himself and his family. Later, it became the castle you can see today: a fortress used by Popes to survive sieges, to preserve the Church’s great treasures and to imprison dangerous enemies. Skip-the-line and don’t waste your time: visit the richly decorated rooms of the papal apartments and stroll around the gloomy corridors of the prison, learning the dark stories of noble prisoners and bloody deaths from a knowleadgeable, passionate guide! Eventually, listen to the legends that surround the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel, on the beautiful terrace at the very top of the castle, and enjoy a stunning view of Rome and the Vatican, from the “wedding cake” of the Vittoriano to the great dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica!