Castel sant's angelo - Essay Example

Castel Sant’s Angelo Introduction Castel Sant’ Angelo s back to the period of the Roman Empire but has been greatly transformed over centuries since then. It holds great historic value and is known to be one of Rome’s finest original monuments. Presently, it has a complex and charming structure which contributes to the different level of architecture of modern era. The castle is the evidence for the sedimentation of ancient times; hence throughout history this building has played an essential role.

In AD 123, the emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus desired for a tomb which would contain his and his successors’ ashes (Sear, 1983).The monument was constructed on a special site which was on the river edge built on solid ground. The actual architectural layout of the mausoleum is uncertain even today in terms of construction and decorative. The monument composes of three overlaid bodies of architecture which are a square base, a cylindrical body, and the last piece that was a cylindrical shape too but smaller.

On top of this last piece was a statute of Hadrian pulling a quadriga. The cylindrical body of the monument was filled with an embankment of earth with a hanging garden for cover. The structure which was built at the Roman period is unrecognizable now. However, some parts still survive including the foundations and masonry of the square base, the entire masonry nucleus, the entrance built with stone blocks, the ramp leasing to the top floor, and funeral hall (Zirpolo, 2010). In all transformations that have taken place in this castle, these constructions have remained the core areas.

The castle was transformed into a fortress from a mausoleum in the middle ages. This transformation also changed the layout of the structure. These changes had been taking place for over ten centuries because the building was linked to the town walls, it was built around Rome, and the changes were carried out by a military architect, Nicolo Lamberti.The castle also had a defensive role because it was positioned at a point where the northern access city route was located. The castle gained immense significance throughout the transformations that took place.

There was also a dispute in the middle ages regarding the possession of the castle. Papal Court took possession of the castle when he came to Rome in 1377. Eventually in efforts to make the castle a safe place, an internal passageway was created in the cylindrical body, the Roman entrance and the spiral ramp was closed. A new entrance was created on the half way f the cylindrical mole and was linked by a drawbridge and an external staircase (Sear, 1983). In the 15th century, the new architectural structures were undertaken.

The equipments were also modified to adapt new fire weapons and at the same time, the castle had become the residence of the Pope. The architect Antonio da Sangallo the elder transformed the building into a complex and powerful structure which was more like a war machine. The castle gained immense important from the military aspect but by 1925, the military functions in the castle were lost and it was transformed into the National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo containing collections of art and history.

(images taken from Castle of the World (2013) http://www.castles.org/castles/Europe/Western_Europe/Italy/San%20Angelo/)References Sear, F. (1983). Roman Architecture. London: Cornell University PressZirpolo, L. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Baroque Art and Architecture. NY: Rowman & Littlefield