Rome - Angels and Demons Tour.

I have wanted to go to Rome since I read Dan Brown's books. The way he described the places made them seem so real and alive. The limited traveller in me thought it would be an expensive trip, so I promised myself I would go for my special birthday. I saved and booked a trip for May 2020. We all know what happened in 2020..... My trip was cancelled. Then we needed things to calm down, which they did, and it felt safe again, but then life got in the way again when my husband was taken seriously ill.

In 2024, it was decided that 2025 would be THE year. However, my husband still wasn't well enough to travel, so I went with my sisters. And what a blast we had.

Since I fell in love with Rome through Dan Brown's books and movies, I had to make sure I visited these locations.

So what is Angels of Demons about? Robert Langdon, a world-renowned symbologist, is summoned to a research facility to analyze a mystrious symbol burned into the chest of a murdered scientist. He soon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati. The brotherhood had always had a personal vendetta against the Catholic Church and vice versa. Faith vs science.

Robert Langdon follows a series of clues to help find some kidnapped Cardinals. This is known in the books as the path of Illumination. This path leads fellow members to the Church of Illumination.

I didn't visit these locations in the order of the book, but I have listed them so here.

The Pantheon.

Although this isn't on the path of illumination, it was where Robert mistakingly identified as the first maker on the path.

The Pantheon in Rome is a remarkably preserved ancient Roman temple, now a church, known for its massive concrete dome and unique oculus (a central opening in the dome). It really is a sight to see and needs to be on your list if you ever want to visit the eternal city.

The path of Illumination

I found this description of the path of Illumination here.

As per the movie Angels and Demons, the Illuminati – Latin for the enlightened ones – was a secret society consisting of scientists and great thinkers. They were branded heretics and were hunted by the Vatican. One such example is Galileo Galilei; he was put under house arrest for theorizing that the Earth revolved around the Sun while the church preached the exact opposite.

During such trying times, secrecy around the Illuminati meetings was paramount for the group’s survival. To ensure secrecy, the leaders of the Illuminati designed a treasure hunt of sorts across Rome, the treasure being the lair of the Illuminati, or as they called it the Church of Illumination.

The markers or the clues that eventually lead to the Church of Illumination are located at the four Altars of Science, a tribute to the 4 elements of science: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.  It is interesting to note that all of them have been created by the great Italian sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  The path connecting these Altars of Science and eventually leading to the lair is the famous ‘Path of Illumination’.

So, on to the first Alter of Science.....

The Church of Santa Maria del Popolo

The first altar of science is dedicated to the element Earth. It is the Chigi Chapel, also known as Capella della Terra: Chapel of the Earth! The chapel is inside the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo.

The Chapel features two pyramids and four corner niches, each with a sculpture on display, one being the First Marker of the Path Of Illumination. The first Cardinal is found under the marble in the center, in the crypt underneath, with the word EARTH branded on his chest.

The paper which Robert Langdon steals from the Vatican secret archives states “Let the angels guide you on your lofty quest”,

St Peter’s Square / the Vatican

In the Movie, Robert climbs the scaffolding outside to try and interpret the clue "Let the Angels Guide you on your lofty quest". He pinpoints St. Peter's.

St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican is the next altar of science dedicated to the element air.  It is one of Bernini’s most famous works.

There’s an obelisk in the middle, surrounded by oval tiles that form a compass. Langdon finds the next cardinal, whose lungs have been punctured and is branded with the word AIR. The second marker is a round slab on the ground with the words ” West Ponente,” which shows an angel blowing air. The direction of the air takes us to our third altar.

I couldn't get a photo of the correct Oval as there was a group of people standing there, but the one taken gives you the idea.

Santa Maria Della Vittoria

Santa Maria Della Vittoria is the Fire Alter of Science. It is the home of the Ecstasy of St. Teresa, a baroque masterpiece by Bernini. This was made after a description of an incident where St. Teresa states that an angel penetrates her body with a long spear and leaves her on Fire! Here Langdon finds the next Cardinal burning, with his chest branded with the word FIRE.

The sphere in the hands of the angel points to the final altar.

The fountain of the four rivers

The name gives away that this represents the Water element and so the final alter of science. Again designed by Bernini. The fountain has four river Gods representing the four rivers of four major contients; the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia, the Danube in Europe and the Rio de la Plata in America.

Here, Langdon finds the 4th Cardial, who is branded with the word WATER on his chest. There is an obelisk in the center of the fountain. The dove at the top of the obelisk points to the Castel Sant’ Angelo which is the Church of Illumination.

Castel Sant’Angelo

The Castel Sant’ Angelo was the secret meeting place of the Illuminati. On the roof of this huge fortress sits a bronze angel pointing down. What is interesting to note is the audacity of the Illuminati to design their lair right next to the Vatican.

Castel Sant’ Angelo is now a museum, but it used to be a fortress for the Pope. The Passetto di Borgo, the secret passage that links the Vatican to Castel Sant’ Angelo, was used by Pope as an escape route when in danger.

Angel with a dagger pointing downwards.

The view of the Vatican from the top of the castle.

Element	Altar	Location of the Altar	Marker at the Altar
Earth	Chigi Chapel	Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo	Statue of The Habakkuk and the angel
Air	St Peter’s Square	The Vatican	The slab in the ground with words West Ponente
Fire	Ecstasy of St. Teresa	Church of Santa Maria Della Vittoria	The spear in the hand of the angel
Water	Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi	Piazza Navona	The dove at the top of the obelisk

The trip made me fall in love with Rome even more, and I would go back as there is so much to see and do.

Thanks as always for taking the time to read.

Have you been to Rome? What was it like? Do my photos do it justice in your eyes?