A statue of Saint Michael stands in Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome.

Legend holds that Saint Michael appeared atop Castel Sant’Angelo to herald the end of a massive plague that swept through Rome in 500AD. This marble statue was placed at the top of the castle in 1500AD but two-hundred years layer replaced by a bronze statue. The bronze statue still stands above the castle, but I prefer this one. It’s more of a classical sculpture and I love the bronze wings too.

The castle supposedly had a tunnel connecting it directly to Saint Peter’s church, which is now in the Vatican City and the castle was used by Popes to hide from attacks and city sieges.

In the left hand (the one visible in this shot), the statue originally held a sword, which was sheathed to herald the end of the plague. I assume it was bronze but there’s not much info that I’ve found so far.