Passetto di Borgo
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The Passetto di Borgo, or simply Passetto, is a secret passage that links the Vatican City with the Castle of Sant' Angelo. It is an approximately 800 m long corridor, located in the rione of Borgo. It was erected in 1277 by Pope Nicholas III, but parts of the wall were built by Totila during the Gothic War.
From outside it looks like a wall but inside there is the tunnel, which on several occasions served as an escape route for Popes in danger.
Pope Alexander VI crossed it in 1494, when Charles VIII invaded the city and the Pontiff's life was in danger.
Clement VII escaped to safety through this passage during the Sack of Rome in 1527. Almost the entire Swiss Guard was massacred by troops of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, on the steps of St Peter's Basilica protecting the Pope, buying him time to escape through the Passetto.
[edit] References
- D'Onofrio, Cesare (1978). Castel Sant'Angelo e Borgo tra Roma e Papato. Romana Società Editrice, Roma.
[edit] External links
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