Castles · Tour

Seven Floors, the Chamber of Ashes, and the Pantheon's Open Roof

Two Roman buildings on one skip-the-line ticket, and they could hardly be less alike. Castel Sant'Angelo is the great fortress on the bank of the Tiber, seven floors of it, holding ancient relics and Renaissance decoration that has survived unusually well. The route goes through the Chamber of Ashes, which spent part of its life as a prison, and the Papal Residence, where the walls are painted. It ends on the terrace, with Rome below, the Tiber, and the Bridge of Angels crossing it. The Pantheon is the other half. It was built as a temple to the gods and has carried myths ever since. The Oculus is the reason people stand still inside it: the light comes down through the open circle in the roof and moves across the building as the day goes on. The tombs are here too. One thing to weigh before booking: this ticket cannot be cancelled or refunded.