1 hour(s)
English
Included
Discover the famous secret corridor once used by the Popes to escape in times of danger
Enjoy an experience that takes you to the heart of Rome's history
Visit an iconic place that connects Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter Square
Enjoy a self-paced visit with a downloadable audio guide
Combined access to two iconic Roman landmarks
€ 39.96
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Join a unique and captivating experience with entry to both Castel SantAngelo and the historic Passetto di Borgo, the secret corridor once used by Popes to escape in times of danger. Begin your journey by exploring the Passetto di Borgo, a hidden passage linking the castle to St Peters Square, which has silently witnessed extraordinary historical events, including papal escapes during times of conflict. Walking through this secret corridor offers a rare glimpse into Romes hidden history and the strategic measures taken to protect the pontiffs.
Afterward, discover the impressive walls, terraces, and artistic treasures of Castel SantAngelo with a downloadable audio guide. This remarkable fortress, mausoleum, and papal residence has played a central role in Romes history for centuries. Immerse yourself in the legends, art, and architecture that define this iconic landmark and experience two of the citys most fascinating attractions in a single visit. This journey offers a seamless and enriching exploration of Rome’s hidden past.
Passetto di Borgo Access
Castel Sant’Angelo Access
Downloadable Audio Guide
Live Guide
Guided Tour
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Passport or ID card
Charged Smartphone
Headsets
Internet Access
Comfortable shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Wear comfortable shoes for walking and stairs
Some areas may be closed for maintenance or events
Passetto di Borgo involves walking through narrow corridors
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
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A very interesting "bridge" that connects the Vatican with Castel Sant’Angelo. You can visit it only with a tour guide. The tour was short but worth it. The ticket can be combined with Castel Sant’Angelo’s entrance, which makes the visit perfect in terms of logistics if you’ve just finished visiting St. Peter’s Basilica.
Er Coridore de Borgo (the Corridor of Borgo), as the Romans of papal Rome used to call it, is also known as Passetto di Borgo, or Passetto. It corresponds to that raised and fortified section of the Vatican Walls that from the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, starting from behind the colonnade by Bernini runs along via dei Corridori and via Borgo Sant'Angelo and ends in Castel Sant'Angelo.It was part of a defensive structure that ran from the foot of the Vatican Hill to the Mausoleum of Hadrian, to protect the military camp that the barbarian Totila set up in this area of the city around 547. The building, modest in elevation and irregular in layout, was built with large roughly squared blocks, partly still visible near Porta Castello. Around 852, Pope Leo IV (847-855) built a city wall, about 5 meters high, equipped with a walkway, to protect the basilica of St. Peter and the nearby buildings. To erect it, he exploited, where possible, the pre-existing structure that was later used for the construction of the Passetto as we know it today.Some scholars say that the Passetto was built around 1277, during the pontificate of Niccolò III, the pope who transferred the papal residence from the Lateran Palace to the Vatican. Others believe that the works began with Boniface IX between 1389 and 1404, and ended with Baldassarre Cossa, or the antipope John XXIII (1410-1415).Over the centuries, it was modified and renovated several times and by several popes, including Niccolò V (1447-1455), Sixtus IV (1471-1484), and Alexander VI (1492-1503), with the addition of paths for patrols, battlements, watchtowers, fortifications, and elevations.The Passetto had the purpose of controlling the area of the underlying Borgo and repressing any riots, thanks to the elevated position from which to easily throw arrows or shoot. Lead in secret prisoners of importance to the dungeons of Castel Sant'Angelo. Perhaps, it is precisely that stretch that an illustrious prisoner like Beatrice Cenci walked in chains and in complete secrecy, before her execution, in 1599. Mainly, the Passetto was intended to provide a quick escape route for the pope, in case of enemy aggression or attacks on his person. The pope could escape from the Vatican and take refuge among the thick and well-protected walls of the Castle.Its strategic importance emerged more in the darkest and most painful periods for Rome and for the Church, such as in the year 1494, when Pope Alexander VI Borgia traveled 800 meters in length to find refuge in Castello, during the invasion of Rome from part of the militias of Charles VIII of France. Or in 1527, when Clement VII Medici (1523-1534) found refuge in Castel Sant’Angelo, during the Sack of Rome perpetrated by the Lanzichenecchi of Charles VIII. The pope was saved by the broken bonnet, running along the narrow passage, while the courtiers and the nobles who accompanied him protected him with a dark cloak, to prevent the white robe from becoming an easy target. The Swiss guards fought bravely to favor the pope’s retreat but were murdered. Even today, those walls are marked by the numerous arquebus shots fired by German mercenaries.This is the last great enterprise linked to the Passetto, which with the end of the 16th century, saw its defensive function wane, but not the interest in the anecdotes it evokes.Among these, we remember one of the most curious: it is said that Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) used it to reach the apartments where he met his lovers. From this story, a very particular custom was born, namely the one whereby, walking 77 times back and forth along the 800 meters of the Passetto, just over 60 km, men were able to recover their lost masculinity.
A great way to spend an hour, wandering through and on the tunnel connecting the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo. Gabriele, the guide, was informative and engaging and you get to see parts of the castel that you don't see if you go on a separate ticket. You'll need to book online in advance, groups are frequent but small as the passetto is cramped. Thoroughly recommend!
The Passetto di Borgo is a fortified walkway built in 1277 during the papacy of Nicholas III to connect Castel Sant’Angelo with the Vatican. This elevated corridor served as an essential defensive structure, allowing the Pope to retreat swiftly to the safety of the fortress during times of crisis. Its robust walls and strategic design provided a secure escape route, highlighting the delicate balance between spiritual authority and the political realities of medieval Rome. The structure played a decisive role during pivotal historical events, most notably the Sack of Rome in 1527. When Charles V’s troops invaded the city, Pope Clement VII used the Passetto to flee from the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo, where he sought refuge. This dramatic escape underscored the walkway’s importance as a symbol of resilience and the Papacy’s ability to endure external threats amidst chaos and violence. Over the centuries, the Passetto became an enduring testament to Rome’s layered history, blending elements of defense, religion, and urban transformation. Its proximity to the bustling Borgo district, once a vital buffer between the Vatican and the rest of the city, reflects the dynamic interplay between sacred and secular realms. While originally built for survival, it now stands as a monument to a time when the security of the Church was constantly at risk. Today, the Passetto di Borgo has been carefully preserved and integrated into Rome’s modern landscape, maintaining its historical significance while attracting visitors from around the world. Its ancient arches and sturdy walls tell stories of ingenuity and perseverance, reminding us of the city’s ability to adapt while preserving its rich heritage. The juxtaposition of its medieval architecture with the surrounding urban environment encapsulates Rome’s unique ability to bridge past and present.
It's a wall made famous by Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Helped 2 popes escape Vatican to Castle Sant Angelo. if you come out of Vatican city, go to any of alley on the left. You will stumble into this wall. Follow it to Castel Sant Angelo. It is a better walk as there's lesser people than the main road out of Vatican city. I have always been curious how it connects to the Vatican papal apartment and to Castel Sant Angelo
