Castel Sant' Angelo in Rome
 

I walked by this place on my last visit, but didn't get a chance to go inside.

I read where it began in AD 139 as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum and has been used as a citadel, prison and popes residence in times of political unrest. It is now a museum with military relics and art works.

Looking for rants and raves. Is it worth a visit? Looked like a good view from the top.
If so, how long should I allocate for it? Any best times to visit or avoid?

Definitely visit; it's a very interesting building, and indeed good views from the top. Can't really say how long you would need, but you can easily see it all in 45 minutes.

Definitely..especially for the view from the top at sunset.
If you are going after october..the passetto ( walkway) that allowed the Pope's to flee the Vatican is going to be opened and the views from there should ne spectacular!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/24by7pa...p;siteid=50143

Castel Sant' Angelo is a must see in Rome..So many historics events happened there, if the walls could only talk!!! Also it was the set of the opera Tosca, every time I visit the place I cant help to hear in my head Puccini greatest music, and can imagine Mario's in the last hour of his life, singing the passionate, poignant arias." E lucean le Stelle...

I agree that it is very much worth a visit. After climbing all the ramps and touring the interesting rooms, we had a glass of wine on the rooftop and shared our potato chips with the pigeons, while taking in the beautiful view of Rome. Do it.