Castel S. Angelo, the Vatican Fortress and the Swiss Guard: Half Day walking tour

Over the Vatican Hill is the colossal Hadrian's Mausoleum turned in 500 AD into the impregnable S. Angelo Castle to protect St. Peter's Basilica. A fortress and a top security jail, this was also a magnificent residence for the papal court in case of siege, embellished with frescoes of Raffaello's workshop. You will have the chance to cross the imperial burial chamber where Hadrian's ashes were recovered, you will overlook emplacements for the artillery that protected Pope Clemens VII from German Lutheran troops in 1527. Evidence of weapons, uniforms and militaria is in the Armory; and an exceptional view of the Rome from the top terrace, under the protection of a gigantic bronze statue of the Archangel St. Michael! The tour will also cross the old village of Borgo, strolling along the "passetto" medieval walls with an emergency corridor once connecting the castle to the the Papal residence, ending next to the Swiss Guard barracks, the popes'personal guard, and Mastro Titta's House, the popes' executioner.