Secret 13th century escape passage for Vatican popes reopens to the public

A historic secret passage connecting the Vatican with Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo has reopened to the public on Monday.

Transcript

00:00A secret passage, historically used as an escape route for popes in the past, has reopened

00:07to the public.

00:09The passage, known as the Passetto di Borgo, has two levels, an open-air outdoor walkway

00:14and a lower fortified level that served as a secret escape corridor.

00:19It connects the Vatican with Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo.

00:22While the famous passage dates back to the 6th century, it only became an escape route in the 13th century.

00:52The Passetto will feature a new program of special guided tours, which include access to both levels.