Borgo Pio and Castel Sant’Angelo

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Our afternoon tour will start from Piazza Risorgimento and it will bring you to  Borgo Pio, along the Passetto, to Castel Sant’Angelo.

Take one of our tour in small group 15 pax or fewer, so that you can engage more with your guide, ask as many questions you want, and we guarantee that you will get the most of your visit.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Licensed English speaking guide
English speaking tour leader who will assist you during the tour
Small group of 15 pax or fewer
Ticket of the Baths of Caracalla
Ticket of the Roman Houses at Cealium
Headsets so you can always hear your guide
Drink or Icecream in one of our selected spots to “Do as the Romans do”

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US:

WhatsApp infoline +393801944534
booking@iviaggidialuve.com
doastheromansdo@gmail.com

BORGO PIO

Borgo Pio is a nice spot for a quiet walk when visiting the Vatican. Although heavily transformed during the first half of the 20th century, the Borgo maintains its own unique character  and its historical importance as a forecourt to Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Palace. Here you can take a pleasant stroll through ancient alleyways past small trattorias and bars. It’s a quiet and traditional area where you can easily escape the crowds. These cobblestone streets are laden with history and have been home to Pope Benedict XVI, world famous artist Raphael, the great Michelangelo Buonarroti, and countless others. The three main streets, or “borghi”, were named by Pope Pius IV in 1565. Borgo Pio (after himself), Borgo Angelico (after his birth name “Angelo”), and Borgo Vittorio (after the victory over Lepanto). Nowadays, this area is often graced with the presence of Cardinals, Swiss Guards, and even Pope Francis from time to time!  This lively, little zone is nestled between Prati, Trastevere, the Tevere, Castel Sant’Angelo, and Vatican City, of course. The most evident border is marked by a tall, medieval wall.

IL PASSETTO

Approaching St.Peter’s Square from the north it is impossible not to notice a long wall, about 25-30 feet tall, which runs parallel to the colonnade. It looks like a fortification, similar to the ones built in ancient times around most cities, to protect their boundaries. But nobody would imagine that this one conceils a walkable gallery that runs through the wall, leading to Sant’Angelo Castle, on the western bank of the river Tiber.  This covered corridor served as a hidden, fortified escape route from the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo. Pope Clement VII put it to use when he was forced to run for safety in 1527. Unfortunately, running in full Pope garb was not a simple task, so he was forced to take quick, tiny steps, hence the name of the wall: “Il Passetto,” or “little step.”

CASTEL SANT’ANGELO

With its chunky round keep, Castel Sant’Angelo is an instantly recognisable landmark. The imposing Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) is the only building that has followed the development of the city of Rome for about 2000 years, the other Roman monuments have had a different destiny as they were reduced to ruins or used as quarries to pick up materials to recycle in new, modern constructions.
During the centuries the Castel Sant’Angelo was subject to several transformation both from the architectural/structural point of view that the target of use: it was built in 123 AD as the tomb of the emperor Hadrian and its family; in the 403 it lost its native function and became a fortified military outpost in order to defend Rome; at the beginning of the XI century it has taken the role of State prison; then in the XIV century, after different changes of properties between the noble roman families, the Castel Sant’Angelo has tied its fate to that of the popes.
In the XIX century it took again the role of prison up to 1906 when it finally has became a museum, rich of charme and ready to share its historical baggage with the world.

Whoever comes to Rome today and makes their way towards the Vatican, can’t help but raise their eyes to admire this astounding work that has changed over the centuries and that no longer needs to defend itself; the reassuring presence of the angel on the highest terrace, with clothes and hair moved by the wind, still watches over and protects the city.

After the walking tour, I Viaggi di Aluvè will be glad to show you “As the Romans do”. The Tour Leader  will have the pleasure to bring you to one of our favourite spots in Prati neighborhood, where Romans go when they want to have an artisanal icecream or a drink before dinner. Enjoy …

The tour lasts:

3,5 hours for Borgo Pio, Passetto and Castel Sant’Angelo

0,5 hour  for the drink or icecream

PRICE PER PERSON: € 60.00

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Licensed English speaking guide
English speaking tour leader who will assist you during the tour
Small group of 15 pax or fewer
Drink or Icecream
Insurance

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

Shuttle service to and from the Hotel (we can provide extra charge)
Any additional services not previously listed

DRESS CODE

Casual with comfortable shoes

OPERATING ON: Thursday

Please be informed that the tour will take place only if the minimum pax number of 10 will be reached.

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US:

WhatsApp infoline +393801944534
booking@iviaggidialuve.com
doastheromansdo@gmail.com

PS. : Would you like to to have a tour in the morning visiting the Vatican? Take a look at ….

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica

or

Full St Peter’s Basilica tour