The Passetto, or Passetto di Borgo, is a secret passage that links the Vatican City with the Castle of Sant' Angelo. It has on several occasions served as an escape route for Popes in danger. Secret passages are sometimes concealed using large items of furniture, such as this reconstruction of the bookcase that covered the entrance to Anne Franks secret room. ... Castel SantAngelo The Castel SantAngelo is a building in Rome, one with a long and chequered past. ... This is a list of Popes of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

Pope Alexander VI crossed it in 1494, when Charles VIII invaded the city and the Pontiff's life was in danger. Alexander VI, (Rodrigo Borgia) (January 1, 1431 – August 18, 1503) Pope from 1492 to 1503), is the most controversial of the secular Popes of the Renaissance, whose surname became a byword for low standards in the mediaeval papacy. ... 1494 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Charles VIII the Affable (French: Charles VIII lAffable) (June 30, 1470 – April 7, 1498) was King of France from 1483 to his death. ...

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. For the antipope (1378-1394) see Antipope Clement VII. Pope Clement VII Clement VII, né Giulio di Giuliano de Medici (1478 – September 25, 1534) was pope from 1523 to 1534. ... Combatants Papal States Holy Roman Empire, Spain Commanders Clement VII Charles III, 8th duc de Bourbon † Strength 500 militia (Swiss Guard) 20,000 regulars Casualties 500 dead, wounded, or captured, 45,000 civilians dead, wounded, or exiled Unknown The Sack of Rome of 1527 by the troops of Charles V... Events January 5 - Felix Manz, co-founder of the Swiss Anabaptists, was drowned in the Limmat River in Zürich by the Zürich Reformed state church. ... Swiss Guards were Swiss mercenary detachments that served as bodyguards, ceremonial guards and palace guards at foreign European courts from the late 15th century on. ... This page is about the Germanic empire. ... Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of the Catalonian-Aragon and Castile Crown. ... Interior view, with the nave of the Cattedra in the back St. ...