Castel Sant’Angleo started as a mausoleum to Hadrian, built in 135 CE. When the city walls were joined to it, it became more of a fortress, around 403 CE. During a plague around 590 CE, Pope Gregory I had a procession and saw a vision of the Archangel Michael sheathing his sword, signifiying the end of that plague.
The views of Rome from the high terraces, were beautiful, even on a rainy afternoon.
The rest of the afternoon was free. We had a gelato lunch. Our group rendezvoused for dinner and it was one of my favorite meals so far. Sort of a typical but also homestyle Roman selection: sort of a meatball-croquette hybrid and escarole with pine nuts.
