10 Enchanting Castles Around the World You Have To Visit!

4. Castello di Sant’ Angelo, Italy

Legend has it that the very Archangel Saint Michael has come to Rome and sheathed his sword to signify the end of the plague in 590. This is why a gigantic angel statue sits on top of the unusually round construction near the Vatican that is Castle Sant’ Angelo. It has served as papal residence and prison, sometimes even both at the same time. The castle was made famous for its extensive use in Dan Brown’s bestseller ‘Angels&Demons’, which also reveals its most interesting fact: the castle contains what used to be a secret passage to the Vatican that the Pope used when in danger. Now, the passage is probably much more popular than the castle itself. You’d say having a giant angel on the roof keeps you popular.