Rome Walking Tour of Ghosts, Legends and Mysteries
by What About Tours
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€8Overview
This 90-minute evening walking tour in Rome explores the city’s ghosts, legends, and mysteries with a licensed local guide. The route begins at Castel Sant'Angelo, originally Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, later a fortress and prison, where the guide explains its historical role and associated legends. The group then crosses St. Angelo Bridge, known for its ten angel statues carved by Bernini and his students, which are said to guard secrets after dark. Next, the tour visits the house of Rome’s kindest executioner, followed by the Haunted Arch at Arco Dei Banchi, connected to a noted exorcist. The guide then leads to the home of Benvenuto Cellini, a Renaissance artist infamous for violent acts. The itinerary continues to the house of Giulia Tofana, infamous for her poison empire, and nearby sites related to the Holy Inquisition. The group stops at Corte Savella prison, where Beatrice Cenci was tortured before execution, then walks along Via Giulia, a Renaissance street designed by Bramante for Pope Julius II. The tour includes a visit to Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte church, known for its bone-filled interior maintained by a confraternity handling abandoned corpses. It also passes Fontana del Mascherone, the site of a famous kidnapping, and ends at Campo de' Fiori, a square with a history of public executions and a lively nighttime atmosphere. The tour covers urban legends, haunted places, and mysteries connected to these landmarks. It is suitable for adults and teens aged 12 and older. The price does not include tips, which are paid directly to the guide, as the tour operates on a pay-what-you-want basis. All guiding services are included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo was built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum and later used as a fortress, papal residence, and prison. It features a cylindrical shape and a rooftop statue of the Archangel Michael, located on the Tiber River.
15 min
St. Angelo Bridge
Ponte Sant'Angelo spans the Tiber and is decorated with ten angel statues carved by Bernini and his students. Each angel holds symbols of Christ’s suffering. At night, the statues appear solemn and are said to guard secrets tied to Castel Sant’Angelo.
House of the Kindest Executioner
The tour stops at the house known as the residence of Rome’s kindest executioner, highlighting his unique reputation in the city’s judicial history.
10 min
Arco Dei Banchi
This arch is known as the Haunted Arch and was a place of prayer for a controversial exorcist in Rome.
5 min
House of Benvenuto Cellini
This building was home to Benvenuto Cellini, a 16th-century artist who was also infamous for crimes including rape and murder.
5 min
Giulia Tofana's House
This haunted house belonged to Giulia Tofana, notorious for her poison empire. The site includes stories related to the Holy Inquisition.
10 min
Corte Savella
Corte Savella was the only prison in Rome authorized to carry out executions within its walls. It is where Beatrice Cenci was tortured before her execution.
5 min
Via Giulia
Via Giulia is a historic street designed by Bramante in the early 16th century for Pope Julius II. It features Renaissance palaces, ivy-covered facades, and quiet courtyards representing old Rome’s aristocratic life.
5 min
Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte
This Baroque church was built by a secretive confraternity dedicated to recovering and burying abandoned corpses. Its interior is filled with skulls, bones, and symbols of death.
10 min
Fontana del Mascherone
A Baroque fountain on Via Giulia featuring a large stone mask that releases water from its mouth. It is known as the scene of John Paul Getty III’s kidnapping.
5 min
Campo De' Fiori
Campo de' Fiori is a historic square famous for its morning market. At night, it becomes lively with bars and restaurants. The statue of Giordano Bruno recalls the square’s past as an execution site during the Inquisition.
10 min
Meeting point
The meeting point is right in front of the Castle Sant'Angelo entrance, by the bridge Sant'Angelo. The guide will hold a tour sign with the name of the tour.
End point
The tour ends in Campo De' Fiori, a vibrant, historic square. By day, it's filled with fresh produce and flowers, while at night, it transforms into a bustling hub for locals and visitors, embodying the energetic spirit of Rome. It's a very well-connected spot with bus stops and taxi stands.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Rome Walking Tour of Ghosts, Legends and Mysteries
by What About Tours
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€8Overview
This 90-minute evening walking tour in Rome explores the city’s ghosts, legends, and mysteries with a licensed local guide. The route begins at Castel Sant'Angelo, originally Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, later a fortress and prison, where the guide explains its historical role and associated legends. The group then crosses St. Angelo Bridge, known for its ten angel statues carved by Bernini and his students, which are said to guard secrets after dark. Next, the tour visits the house of Rome’s kindest executioner, followed by the Haunted Arch at Arco Dei Banchi, connected to a noted exorcist. The guide then leads to the home of Benvenuto Cellini, a Renaissance artist infamous for violent acts. The itinerary continues to the house of Giulia Tofana, infamous for her poison empire, and nearby sites related to the Holy Inquisition. The group stops at Corte Savella prison, where Beatrice Cenci was tortured before execution, then walks along Via Giulia, a Renaissance street designed by Bramante for Pope Julius II. The tour includes a visit to Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte church, known for its bone-filled interior maintained by a confraternity handling abandoned corpses. It also passes Fontana del Mascherone, the site of a famous kidnapping, and ends at Campo de' Fiori, a square with a history of public executions and a lively nighttime atmosphere. The tour covers urban legends, haunted places, and mysteries connected to these landmarks. It is suitable for adults and teens aged 12 and older. The price does not include tips, which are paid directly to the guide, as the tour operates on a pay-what-you-want basis. All guiding services are included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo was built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum and later used as a fortress, papal residence, and prison. It features a cylindrical shape and a rooftop statue of the Archangel Michael, located on the Tiber River.
15 min
St. Angelo Bridge
Ponte Sant'Angelo spans the Tiber and is decorated with ten angel statues carved by Bernini and his students. Each angel holds symbols of Christ’s suffering. At night, the statues appear solemn and are said to guard secrets tied to Castel Sant’Angelo.
House of the Kindest Executioner
The tour stops at the house known as the residence of Rome’s kindest executioner, highlighting his unique reputation in the city’s judicial history.
10 min
Arco Dei Banchi
This arch is known as the Haunted Arch and was a place of prayer for a controversial exorcist in Rome.
5 min
House of Benvenuto Cellini
This building was home to Benvenuto Cellini, a 16th-century artist who was also infamous for crimes including rape and murder.
5 min
Giulia Tofana's House
This haunted house belonged to Giulia Tofana, notorious for her poison empire. The site includes stories related to the Holy Inquisition.
10 min
Corte Savella
Corte Savella was the only prison in Rome authorized to carry out executions within its walls. It is where Beatrice Cenci was tortured before her execution.
5 min
Via Giulia
Via Giulia is a historic street designed by Bramante in the early 16th century for Pope Julius II. It features Renaissance palaces, ivy-covered facades, and quiet courtyards representing old Rome’s aristocratic life.
5 min
Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte
This Baroque church was built by a secretive confraternity dedicated to recovering and burying abandoned corpses. Its interior is filled with skulls, bones, and symbols of death.
10 min
Fontana del Mascherone
A Baroque fountain on Via Giulia featuring a large stone mask that releases water from its mouth. It is known as the scene of John Paul Getty III’s kidnapping.
5 min
Campo De' Fiori
Campo de' Fiori is a historic square famous for its morning market. At night, it becomes lively with bars and restaurants. The statue of Giordano Bruno recalls the square’s past as an execution site during the Inquisition.
10 min
Meeting point
The meeting point is right in front of the Castle Sant'Angelo entrance, by the bridge Sant'Angelo. The guide will hold a tour sign with the name of the tour.
End point
The tour ends in Campo De' Fiori, a vibrant, historic square. By day, it's filled with fresh produce and flowers, while at night, it transforms into a bustling hub for locals and visitors, embodying the energetic spirit of Rome. It's a very well-connected spot with bus stops and taxi stands.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.