Borgo Pio and its artisans

During this itinerary you will visit the workshop of the bronze artist Marco Riccardi and the Handmade hats.

Marco Riccardi bronzista – Borgo Vittorio, 28/29

As a bronze artist, Marco Riccardi has applied his artistic sensibility to the creation of household items, thus contributing to the development of the family business launched by his father Mariano in the 1960s. Riccardi’s works are unique pieces that have made his workshop a point of reference in the Italian capital’s artisan business. By blending traditional metalworking techniques and vibrant artistic innovation, the workshop produces unique sculptures and artifacts for interior decoration: every piece is crafted using the best materials, such as bronze or brass, rigorously shaped by hand. Now employing six people, the workshop produces artifacts and also provides consulting on how to best position them. Beside crafting new pieces, the business restores vintage artifacts, making sure each creation gets back its original shine.

Antica Manifattura Cappelli – Via degli Scipioni, 46

Patrizia Fabri started out as a designer and manufacturer of bags, shoes and hats. In 2003, after taking over a long-established hat workshop in Rome, she broadened the scope of her work by opening “Antica Manifattura Cappelli”. Based on tradition, craftsmanship and the search for top-quality raw materials, the workshop’s collections are created so that hats gain new significance as decorative enhancements and accessories to express one’s own personality. The workshop embodies the know-how passed on to milliners and hatmakers, who continue to work today using traditional methods, making historic hats, high fashion headwear or custom products based on customer specifications. Through the years, Patrizia Fabri’s production has also targeted the stage and movie industries: she created several pieces for Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Teatro dell’Opera in Rome as well as for fashion shows of such designers as Giorgio Armani, Rocco Barocco or Roberto Capucci.
After the visit of these workshops, with your private guide you will visit Castel Sant’Angelo.
It was built at the same time as the Elio bridge by Emperor Hadrian in 130 A.D. as his and the Antonini’s mausoleum and then (later) Emperor Aurelian made it into a fortress and connected to the walls built by him for the defense of the city.

During the Renaissance, when it was the Pope’s residence it was transformed into luxurious apartments and then much later on it was used as barracks and a military prison.
Within the Castle you can visit the Chamber of the Urns which houses the ashes of Hadrian’s family.
You can also see the ancient prison cells, the weapons collection, paintings and sculptures.
On the 4th floor you can visit the papal apartments frescoes by Giulio Romano, Perin del Vaga and the other artists from Raphael’s school. On the 5th floor you can see the Bronze Angel Statue and you can enjoy a wonderful view of Rome from the Castle’s terrace.