Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel San’tAngelo)

One of the largest monuments preserved from Ancient Rome, and one of the most visited sites in the city today, the Mausoleum of Hadrian (based on the earlier Mausoleum of Augustus) stands as a phenomenal example of Roman engineering and architecture, as well as a great example of reuse through the ages. The massive tomb, constructed and used by Hadrian, was employed by Roman emperors until the Severan dynasty. Thereafter, it was incorporated into the Aurelianic wall circuit, most famously used as a bastion in the Gothic Wars of the 530s; Procopius records ancient statuary being cast down on the Gothic army by Justinian’s forces. Thereafter, its legacy was tied to the popes and Vatican, when the tomb was transformed into a castle, surrounded by bastions and moats, and adorned with magnificent papal apartments. Join in a unique tour of this legendary monument that still dominates the landscape of Rome! Find out more about Ancient Rome at This content is brought to you by The American Institute for Roman Culture (AIRC), a 501(C)3 US Non-Profit Organization. Please support our mission to aid learning and understanding of ancient Rome through free-to-access content by donating today via the following link: Don’t forget also to subscribe, comment and like! You can also support us by following and engaging across our social media channels: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: