Castel Sant'Angelo is one of Rome 's popular sights. The construction of the building can be dated back to the days of Emperor Hadrian between 123 and 139AD to serve as his mausoleum. Inside the castle, you can still walk up the wide spiral passage designed for the ascent of the funeral cortege.

Castel Sant'Angelo is located on the banks of the Tiber in the heart of Rome. Nowadays tourists can explore the legacy of all three uses of the monument: the funeral passage of Hadrian, the defensive battlements and the beautifully-frescoed interiors. The edifice is confusingly warren-like - in fact, a recent court case exposed how the curator had appropriated some rooms inside the monument to use as a private apartment, apparently undetected. There are fine views over Rome from the terraces around the upper level, and even a small cafe where you can sit and admire the panorama. The best views of all are from the large terrace beneath the building's crowning statue. Tosca threw herself off this terrace in Puccini's opera.