Castel Sant'Angelo
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Castel Sant'Angelo: floor plan, level by level

The complete layout of Castel Sant'Angelo across its six levels — from the Roman entrance ramp on Livello 0 to the Bastioni and the Passetto di Borgo. Based on the official floor plan published by the Direzione Musei Nazionali di Roma.

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0Livello 01Livello 12Livello 23Livello 34Livello 4BLivello Bastioni
0
Livello 0

Ground Level

Roman foundation

The entrance level, occupying the original Roman core of the building. Visitors enter through the Ingresso on the eastern side, pass the ticket office (Biglietteria), and follow the helical ramp (Rampa Elicoidale) that climbs through the cylindrical mass of Hadrian's mausoleum. The diametrical ramp (Rampa Diametrale) cuts through the building on its main axis. This level preserves the structural genius of the second century, with the original Roman concrete walls visible in many rooms.

Named rooms (6)

  • 0.1
    Cappella dei Condannati · Chapel of the Condemned

    Now hosts the Audiovisual / Conference room.

  • 0.2
    Olearie · Oil storage rooms
  • 0.3
    Dromos · Roman entrance corridorHighlight
  • 0.4
    Rampa Elicoidale · Helical rampHighlight

    The original Roman ramp climbing through the cylinder.

  • 0.5
    Rampa Diametrale · Diametrical ramp
  • 0.6
    Sala delle Urne · Hall of the UrnsHighlight

    The original burial chamber of Emperor Hadrian.

On this level

ToilettesAscensore Piano 0 (elevator)Biglietteria (ticket office)

Access: Access from the main entrance (Ingresso). The visit route begins here.

1
Livello 1

First Level

Medieval transition

The medieval level, where the building's transition from imperial tomb to papal fortress becomes visible. The Cortile dell'Angelo — named after the marble Archangel Michael originally crowning the building — is the open-air space at the heart of this level. The first armoury (Armeria Inferiore) survives here. Several halls dedicated to Clement VIII were used for justice and ceremony, and the Sala di Apollo and the Cappella di Leone X complete the medieval/Renaissance ensemble.

Named rooms (7)

  • 1.1
    Cortile dell'Angelo · Angel CourtyardHighlight

    Named after Raffaello da Montelupo's marble Archangel Michael (1544), still on display here.

  • 1.2
    Armeria Inferiore · Lower Armoury

    Now Sala iconografia storica (historical iconography hall).

  • 1.3
    Sale Clemente VIII · Clemente VIII halls
  • 1.4
    Sala della Giustizia · Hall of JusticeHighlight

    Where papal sentences were pronounced.

  • 1.5
    Sala di Apollo · Hall of ApolloHighlight
  • 1.6
    Sale Clemente VII · Clemente VII halls
  • 1.7
    Cappella di Leone X · Chapel of Leo X

On this level

Ascensore persone con disabilità (accessible elevator)

Access: Access from Livello 0 via the helical ramp, or via accessible elevator.

2
Livello 2

Second Level

Renaissance papal residence

The Renaissance papal residence level. The Cortile di Alessandro VI Borgia opens out from the cylindrical core, surrounded by the rooms used as historic prisons and now home to the bookshop. The Loggia di Giulio II, designed by Bramante, faces the river. The Sala Paolina — the centrepiece of the entire castle, decorated by Perin del Vaga's team between 1545 and 1547 — was the formal reception hall of Pope Paul III. Adjoining rooms (Perseo, Amore e Psiche, Corridoio Pompeiano) form one of the most lavish Renaissance interiors in Rome.

Named rooms (7)

  • 2.1
    Armeria Superiore · Upper Armoury

    Hosts temporary exhibitions.

  • 2.2
    Cortile di Alessandro VI · Alexander VI CourtyardHighlight

    Historic prison cells (Prigioni storiche), bookshop.

  • 2.3
    Loggia di Giulio II · Loggia of Julius IIHighlight

    Bramante design facing the Tiber.

  • 2.4
    Sala Paolina · Paolina HallHighlight

    The most important Renaissance room in the castle. Frescoed by Perin del Vaga (1545-47).

  • 2.5
    Sala Perseo · Hall of Perseus
  • 2.6
    Sala Amore e Psiche · Hall of Cupid and Psyche
  • 2.7
    Corridoio Pompeiano · Pompeian Corridor

On this level

ToilettesBarBookshopAscensore persone con disabilità

Access: Access from Livello 1, or to Livello 3 from this floor.

3
Livello 3

Third Level

Library and treasury

The library and treasury level. The Sala della Biblioteca was the great library of the popes; adjoining it, the Cagliostra — the cell where the alchemist Cagliostro was imprisoned in 1789 — takes its name from him. The Sala dell'Adrianeo and the Sala dei Festoni continue the decorative programme. The Sala del Tesoro housed the Vatican treasury and the Archivio Segreto Pontificio (Secret Vatican Archives) from the mid-15th century.

Named rooms (5)

  • 3.1
    Sala della Biblioteca · Library HallHighlight
  • 3.2
    Cagliostra · Cagliostro's cellHighlight

    Where Count Cagliostro was imprisoned in 1789.

    Read Cagliostro's story →
  • 3.3
    Sala dell'Adrianeo · Hadrian Hall
  • 3.4
    Sala dei Festoni · Hall of Festoons
  • 3.5
    Sala del Tesoro · Treasury HallHighlight

    Held the Vatican treasury and Secret Archives from the mid-15th century onward.

Access: Access from Livello 2. Connects to Livello 4 (the terrace).

4
Livello 4

Fourth Level

Panoramic terrace

The terrace level, where the visit reaches its climax. The Sala della Rotonda — traditionally identified as the seat of the medieval chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael — now houses the metal structure that once supported an earlier version of the angel statue. The Sala delle Colonne, built in the 18th century, was decorated by Duilio Cambellotti. From the Terrazza dell'Angelo, directly beneath the bronze angel sculpted by Peter Anton Verschaffelt in 1752, you have one of the most evocative panoramas in Rome — from the dome of St Peter's to the rooftops of the Centro Storico.

Named rooms (3)

  • 4.1
    Sala della Rotonda · Rotunda HallHighlight

    Former medieval chapel of the Archangel Michael.

  • 4.2
    Sala delle Colonne · Hall of Columns

    Decorated by Duilio Cambellotti.

  • 4.3
    Terrazza dell'Angelo · Angel TerraceHighlight

    Panoramic terrace beneath the bronze Angel of Verschaffelt (1752). Stage for the famous Girandole pyrotechnic spectacles.

Access: Access from Livello 3. Exit (Uscita) leads down to the Sala Paolina or to the Bastioni level.

B
Livello Bastioni

Bastions Level

Renaissance fortifications

The outer pentagonal fortifications, built between 1492 and 1561 under successive popes. The walking route follows the parapets between the four corner bastions named after the Evangelists — San Marco, San Luca, San Matteo, and San Giovanni — with views of the river and the Vatican. The Passetto di Borgo, the elevated corridor connecting the castle to the Vatican Palace, departs from this level. Note: the Passetto is not always accessible to general visitors; it requires a specific guided tour.

Named rooms (3)

  • B1
    Rampa Diametrale · Diametrical Ramp
  • B2
    Corpi di Guardia e Bastioni degli Evangelisti · Guard quarters and Evangelist BastionsHighlight

    The four corner bastions: San Marco, San Luca, San Matteo, San Giovanni.

  • B3
    Passetto di Borgo · Papal escape corridorHighlight

    Available on specific guided tours after the 2024 restoration.

    Read the Passetto story →

On this level

Ascensore Piano 1Uscita (exit)

Access: Access from the dedicated Accesso Livello Bastioni point. The exit (Uscita) is on this level, completing the visit route.

Plan your visit through these levels

The standard visit route follows the levels in numerical order: 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4, then descends to the Bastioni and exit. Allow 90 minutes to two hours, more if you want to spend extra time on the Sala Paolina, the Cagliostra, or the panoramic terrace.

Browse castle tours and tickets →Castle highlights guide →Accessibility info →

Frequently asked questions

How many levels does Castel Sant'Angelo have?▾
Castel Sant'Angelo is organised across six visitable levels, identified in the official dmnrm floor plan as Livello 0 (ground level, with the Roman entrance and the helical ramp), Livello 1 (medieval level with the Cortile dell'Angelo and the Sala della Giustizia), Livello 2 (Renaissance papal residence with the Sala Paolina), Livello 3 (library and Cagliostro's cell), Livello 4 (the panoramic terrace beneath the bronze Angel), and Livello Bastioni (the outer fortifications and the Passetto di Borgo). Each level corresponds to a colour in the official brochure: orange, blue, purple, green, red and yellow respectively.
Where is the Cagliostra cell?▾
The Cagliostra — the cell where Count Alessandro Cagliostro was imprisoned in 1789 on charges of sorcery and freemasonry — is on Livello 3 (room 3.2 in the official floor plan), the library and treasury level. It takes its name directly from him. The cell is accessible as part of the standard visit route.
What is the Sala Paolina?▾
The Sala Paolina (room 2.4 in the official floor plan) is the formal reception hall of Pope Paul III, located on Livello 2. It was decorated between 1545 and 1547 by Perin del Vaga and a large team of artists, and is widely considered the most lavish Renaissance interior in the castle. The room communicates directly with the Sala di Perseo (2.5) and the Sala di Amore e Psiche (2.6), and connects through the Pompeian Corridor (2.7) to the library on the floor above.
Where is the Passetto di Borgo accessed from?▾
The Passetto di Borgo — the 800-metre elevated corridor connecting the castle to the Vatican Palace — departs from the Livello Bastioni, the outer fortifications level (point B3 in the official floor plan). After a major restoration completed in 2024, it has reopened to the public, but only for specific guided tours: access is not part of the standard visit. The Passetto allowed Pope Clement VII to escape to the castle during the Sack of Rome in 1527.
Is the castle accessible by elevator?▾
Yes. There is an accessible elevator (Ascensore persone con disabilità) connecting Livello 0, Livello 1, and Livello 2 — covering the rooms most likely to be of interest to visitors with reduced mobility. The standard route to the upper levels (3, 4, Bastioni) involves stairs and is not fully accessible. See our accessibility page for details.
How long does it take to walk through all the levels?▾
The standard visit takes 90 minutes to two hours if you follow the full route from Livello 0 to the Terrazza dell'Angelo. Add 30 to 45 minutes if you spend additional time in the Sala Paolina, the Cagliostra, or on the panoramic terrace. The official visit time recommended by the dmnrm is a maximum of 2 hours, with no more than 15 minutes per room.
How do you get from one level to the next?▾
The visit follows a fixed route. From Livello 0, the helical ramp (Rampa Elicoidale) climbs to Livello 1. From Livello 1, stairs connect to the Cortile dell'Angelo and from there to Livello 2. The Loggia di Giulio II area on Livello 2 leads up to Livello 3 via a small staircase, and Livello 3 in turn leads up to Livello 4 and the panoramic terrace. The exit route descends through Sala Paolina to the Livello Bastioni and the final exit (Uscita).

Related stories from the rooms in the floor plan

Sources and editorial method

The numbering, naming, and layout of the rooms on this page are taken directly from the official dmnrm visitors' floor plan, distributed at the entrance of Castel Sant'Angelo. The descriptions of each level and the historical context of individual rooms have been cross-checked against the official dmnrm brochure Visita al Castello, the Italian Ministry of Culture archives, and CoopCulture interpretive materials. The colour code (orange, blue, purple, green, red, yellow) is the same one used in the official brochure and on the in-castle signage.

Edited by Gabriel — Google Local Guide Level 8, with on-site visits to Castel Sant'Angelo in 2025 and 2026.

Published: 2026-04-29 · Last verified: April 29, 2026.