The moat of Castel Sant'Angelo

The moats of Castel Sant'Angelo, in Rome

The moats of Castel Sant'Angelo, laid out as a green park, allow to better grasp the citadel character of the building. The Rome audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this peaceful place that surrounds the monument, between nature and fortifications.

The park and the fortifications of the citadel

Walking along the moats of the park of Castel Sant'Angelo, you realise better that the latter is installed in the heart of a true citadel. Over its history, the castle was not only an isolated monument, but the core of an elaborate defensive system: around the central circular drum were added bastions, ramparts and moats, transforming the former mausoleum into a powerful fortress capable of resisting sieges. These moats, which surround the building, have today been laid out into pleasant green spaces, planted with lawns and trees, where it is pleasant to stroll away from the bustle. Walking them, you discover the powerful walls, the fortified corners and the details of the military architecture that protected the castle and, by extension, the popes taking refuge. This viewpoint offers a different and complementary perspective on the monument, allowing to measure all its scale and its defensive function. A peaceful walk at the foot of the fortress, the moats of Castel Sant'Angelo are a pleasant stop of the discovery of Rome.

What to see

Here you stroll along the moats laid out into green spaces that surround Castel Sant'Angelo, revealing its citadel character with its bastions, its ramparts and its powerful walls added around the central circular drum to make it a fortress, in a peaceful setting planted with lawns and trees. The moats of Castel Sant'Angelo offer another perspective on the monument. It is a pleasant stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The moats of Castel Sant'Angelo surround the monument, by the Tiber, in Rome, reachable on foot. They are open-air green spaces, generally freely accessible. The walk there is pleasant and offers fine perspectives on the fortifications.

What are the moats of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome?

The moats that surround Castel Sant'Angelo, laid out today into pleasant green spaces; they reveal the citadel character of the monument, with the bastions, ramparts and powerful walls added around the central circular drum to transform the former mausoleum into a fortress.

Where are the moats of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome?

Around the monument, by the Tiber, in Rome, in Italy.