2-888-596 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Castle of St. Angelo - Rome, 1850. 'The Mausoleum of Hadrian, now the Castle of St. Angelo, was erected...by the Emperor Hadrian, as a depositary for his own ashes and those of succeeding Emperors...The main body of the structure, converted into a fortress in the middle ages...consists of a strong circular edifice, raised upon a square basement...On the top of the circular building there has been raised a modern square edifice, which serves as the dwelling-house of the Governor of the Castle; and on the summit of all stands a bronze statue of the Archangel Saint Michael...It is a place of great strength, however, and the rooms in the basement are used as dungeons for State prisoners. The Bridge of St. Angelo, which leads from the left to the right bank of the Tiber towards St. Peter's, is exactly opposite the fortress...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.