Statua di San Michele Arcangelo
Statua di San Michele Arcangelo
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Neighborhood: Vatican / Borgo
Frocked priests, colorful Swiss Guards, insistent souvenir shop owners, flag-waving tour guides, and pilgrims from around the world. This is the Vatican and Borgo, Rome's most recognized neighborhood which acts as Vatican City's front yard. Aside from the souvenir boutiques and a few food spots, the only business conducted here is papal. In the daytime, the tiny medieval sector bustles with holy activity, as visitors vie for elbow room, or stand in line for a visit. Once the sun sets, the neighborhood is transformed into a quiet and picturesque hamlet.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
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Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,216 contributions
Jun 2022
The large bronze statue of the Archangel Michael stands at the very top of Castel Sant’Angelo. From down below on the street, he seems to be watching over Rome.
The castle is famous for its angels. Ten magnificent marble angels line the bridge to the castle but these are regular, garden-variety type angels. Michael, being an Archangel, outranks the bridge angels.
The three Archangels (Michael, Gabriel and Raphael) hold the highest posts in the angelic hierarchy.
In particular, Michael has the role of warrior, fighting against Satan and defending and a protecting God’s people.
The story of the castle and the Archangel Michael goes way back to 590AD. At the time, the devastating Justinian Plague was sweeping through Rome. Without medicines, treatments or vaccinations their only hope was prayer. In the hope of driving away the sickness, Pope Gregory led a large penitential procession through the streets. As they approached the bridge to what was then, Hadrian’s Mausoleum, he had a vision. The archangel Michael appeared at the top of the building. What excited them the most was the archangel was not wielding his sword but was returning it to its sheath. This could only mean one thing - the fight against the plague was over and the archangel had won. Miraculously, after the vision, the plague seemed to end.
From then on, the building was re-named Castel Sant’Angelo and in the centuries to follow, a statue was placed at the top in the spot where the Pope had seen the archangel.
The statue we see here today replaced earlier versions including a wooden version that rotted and another that was struck by lightning. This one was created by the Flemish sculptor Pieter Van Verschaffelt and has stood here since 1753.
For a close-up view of the statue you need to go inside the castle (an older version is also on display inside).
The castle is famous for its angels. Ten magnificent marble angels line the bridge to the castle but these are regular, garden-variety type angels. Michael, being an Archangel, outranks the bridge angels.
The three Archangels (Michael, Gabriel and Raphael) hold the highest posts in the angelic hierarchy.
In particular, Michael has the role of warrior, fighting against Satan and defending and a protecting God’s people.
The story of the castle and the Archangel Michael goes way back to 590AD. At the time, the devastating Justinian Plague was sweeping through Rome. Without medicines, treatments or vaccinations their only hope was prayer. In the hope of driving away the sickness, Pope Gregory led a large penitential procession through the streets. As they approached the bridge to what was then, Hadrian’s Mausoleum, he had a vision. The archangel Michael appeared at the top of the building. What excited them the most was the archangel was not wielding his sword but was returning it to its sheath. This could only mean one thing - the fight against the plague was over and the archangel had won. Miraculously, after the vision, the plague seemed to end.
From then on, the building was re-named Castel Sant’Angelo and in the centuries to follow, a statue was placed at the top in the spot where the Pope had seen the archangel.
The statue we see here today replaced earlier versions including a wooden version that rotted and another that was struck by lightning. This one was created by the Flemish sculptor Pieter Van Verschaffelt and has stood here since 1753.
For a close-up view of the statue you need to go inside the castle (an older version is also on display inside).
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,461 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
One of the interesting things to see at Castel Sant'Angelo is the statue of St. Michael the archangel. This is a beautiful monument that is easy to spot as it is situated atop the castle and in plain view, even to those who don't go inside for a visit.
This bronze statue was created by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt (1748-1753) and shows the winged St. Michael withdrawing a his sabre as if to warn those with evil intent of the heavenly and holy protection afforded to the castle by his presence. It is a nice statue and enjoyable to see when you visiting Castel Sant'Angelo.
Note: You can also see St. Michael quite well from outside Castel Sant'Angelo. If skies are blue skies and you've a long lens, you'll have no trouble take pictures from some distance as well.
Tip: A neat photo to take is from the opposite bank of the Tiber River, just after crossing Ponte Sant'Angelo. This allows you to capture many of Bernini's statues which adorn the bridge in the picture of Castel Sant'Angelo and the statue of St. Michael the archangel.
This bronze statue was created by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt (1748-1753) and shows the winged St. Michael withdrawing a his sabre as if to warn those with evil intent of the heavenly and holy protection afforded to the castle by his presence. It is a nice statue and enjoyable to see when you visiting Castel Sant'Angelo.
Note: You can also see St. Michael quite well from outside Castel Sant'Angelo. If skies are blue skies and you've a long lens, you'll have no trouble take pictures from some distance as well.
Tip: A neat photo to take is from the opposite bank of the Tiber River, just after crossing Ponte Sant'Angelo. This allows you to capture many of Bernini's statues which adorn the bridge in the picture of Castel Sant'Angelo and the statue of St. Michael the archangel.
Written May 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdelaideTraveller888
Adelaide, Australia431 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
This magnificent bronze statue can be seen on the top of Castel Sant'Angelo where it was originally placed in 1752. For a closer look, go to the rooftop of the Castel, where you'll also find the most breathtaking views of Rome and toward the Vatican City.
Written February 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken R
Andover, UK801 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Climb to the top of the Castel and you are rewarded with the sight of the bronze carving of Michael the Warrior Archangel with sword drawn ready.
Perfect addition to the skyline of Rome and yet another reason to visit the Castel Sant'Angelo.
Perfect addition to the skyline of Rome and yet another reason to visit the Castel Sant'Angelo.
Written June 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy34,212 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
At the very top of Castel Sant'Angelo, which was the Mausoleum of the Emperor Hadrian before it was converted to a papal fortress, is the magnificent bronze statue of the Archangel Michael, modelled in 1753 by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt. It's a beautiful statue, full of grace and power. The statue crowns the Castel Sant'Angelo; at the very top of this impressive papal fortress and residence, not only can you admire the wonderful statue, but the amazing views of Rome and the Vatican as well. You can easily spend several hours at Castel Sant'Angelo, then relax with the magnificent views of the statue and the city when you finally get to the top.
Written February 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flore
Arad, Romania1,709 contributions
Jun 2019
The statue impresses you with how it was made and how imposing it is. If I were to make a ranking of the three most interesting things to see in Rome these would be - the Vatican Museum, the Colosseum and the Sant'Angelo Castle.
Written December 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mWrite
Helsinki, Finland1,322 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Bronze statue of Michael the Archangel, is located on top of the Castel Sant'Angelo, as the castle is round and statue is on the top of it, resembles to cake decoration is big. You don't get close to it, so you admire from down to up.
The castle is named after statue or the Archangel.
The castle is named after statue or the Archangel.
Written May 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CodyMav
Gold Coast, Australia27,270 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
Castle San Angelo has SOOOO much to explore, and when you finally reach the roof terrace and take in the expansive views over Rome, turn around and check out the Statue of St Michael the archangel.
Written December 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marsha M
Motta Sant'Anastasia, Italy480 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
I climbed to the top of the museum to see and it was worth it. The statue was cool and view better. It is worth the climb for the views.
Written June 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BennyMalaga
Malaga, Spain89,732 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
On the very top of Casel Sant' Angelo there is a bronze statue of St. Michael created by the Flemish sculptor Peter Anton von Verschaffelt, in 1753. It is a very large statue with St. Michael holding a sword.
Written May 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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