While already famous for its underground mystery so apt for Rome, Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons really put the Passetto del Borgo on Rome’s map for tourist attractions.
While he had the fantasy to open it into the Papal library, more historically accurate events have seen Pope Clement VII escape from Rome via this tunnel in 1527, and Alexander VI was said to use it to reach his lovers.
The underground tunnel, Passetto di Borgo, connects the Vatican with Castel Sant’Angelo and dates back to 1277, while being reinforced by Pope Pius VI.
It has traditionally been a safe exit for the Popes of Rome in times of trouble.
It’s quite exceptional to visit the Passetto di Borgo, which is open until August 24.
You can book by phoning 0699341843 and entrance costs ten euros.
A guided visit will give you access to the underground area through the high walk, Porta Castello (Castle Door), Porta d’Orfeo, Porta Palline and Porta del Mascarino.
You can pretend to be in Dan Brown’s book, or according to legend if a man runs 77 times up and down the 800 metres of corridor (for a total of 61.
6km), he will get back his lost virility.
Leave your viagra at home, bring some comfortable shoes.
Via Repubblica.
Roma (paper version of 25/7/08)