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The Top Sights Mentioned in Illuminati from Dan Brown: A Guide to Angels and Demons Rome Sites Travel in 2023

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Are you planning a trip to Rome in 2024? If so, make sure to add the Angels and Demons Sites Travel Guide to your itinerary! This tour will take you to all of the locations mentioned in Dan Brown’s novel Illuminati, including the famous Castel Sant’Angelo. Robert Langton’s adventure is sure to excite and entertain you, so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!

S. Maria del Popolo church

The Santa Maria del Popolo church is one of the most important sights mentioned in Illuminati from Dan Brown. Located in the heart of Rome, this church is home to some of the city’s most beautiful artwork, including paintings by Caravaggio and Bernini. It was build in the 11th century and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since.

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"from santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole, 'cross rome the mystic elements unfold. The path of light is laid, the sacred test, Let angels guide you on your lofty quest"

Follow the Path of Illumination

Piazza del Popolo

The Piazza del Popolo is another must-see sight mentioned in Illuminati. In the filmVittoria and Robert Langdon to the plaza to seek for the cardinals. He finds the first cardinal with his mouth full of dirt in the church’s crypt, which was meticulously reproduced in the studio. This square is home to many of Rome’s most famous landmarks, including the Egyptian obelisk and the Fountain of Neptune. It is also a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike. If you’re looking for a taste of Roman culture, this is the perfect place to start!

 

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares in Rome and it is also mentioned in Illuminati. This square is home to the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which was designed by Bernini. The fountain was created by Bernini to symbolize the papal influence’s extensive reach over four continents. For the American continent, the four rivers stand in for the Ganges, the Nile, the Danube, and the Rio de la Plata. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

The Piazza Navona is the same site as in the novel, although the cardinal in the movie is saved by Tom Hanks’ character after being bound in chains and thrown into the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which symbolizes the element of water. In the book, the cardinal dies.

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Barberini Palace

The Barberini Palace is another must-see sight mentioned in Illuminati. This palace was once home to Pope Urban VIII and it now houses a museum that contains many important works of art, including paintings by Caravaggio and Bernini.

Santa Maria della Vittoria

The Santa Maria della Vittoria is a church that is mentioned in Illuminati. This church is home to the famous sculpture of The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, which was created by Bernini. The moment the angel is moving Teresa’s fabric to strike the spear in her heart is depicted by Bernini, demonstrating his skill as a sculptor. We can see this movement in both Teresa and the angel’s fluttering draperies because Teresa’s is thicker and is following the Saint as she lies down while the angel’s is much lighter and is moved by the wind.

But the features of the Saint and the angel undoubtedly hold the most attention. Teresa in particular exudes an ecstasy that looks more sensual than religious, and her face is utterly gone. Teresa appears to be having a great deal of fun, and the angel’s expression shows that he is too. The whole scene seems to capture a moment of lighthearted ecstasy between celestial beings that Bernini has managed to communicate through his masterful carving. If you find yourself in Rome, be sure to check out The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa for yourself!

Castel Sant’Angelo

Last but not least, no trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Castel Sant’Angelo. This castle was built in the 14th century and served as a fortress, prison, and home to the Pope.

The name of the Castle comes from a fable that dates back to the worst of the Dark Ages. A devastating disease struck the city towards the end of the sixth century AD, decades after Rome had been destroyed but before her Renaissance revival. Pope Gregory the Great led a parade through the city, pleading with God to spare the living as multitudes fell ill and the dead choked the streets.

Pope Gregory had a vision of a brilliant person perched high atop the enormous tomb as he gazed up at the ancient mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian, which had long since fallen into neglect and ruin. As the pope looked on, the angel dropped his sword and put it back in its scabbard. It was an angel, gleaming brilliantly. The message was very clear: God’s anger had been quenched and the plague was finished.

The monument that is currently located atop Castel Sant’Angelo honors this incident. The current bronze version, which was installed in the 1700s, took the place of an earlier marble counterpart that had previously stood there. The statue of the archangel Michael serves to act as a reminder to the people of this Catholic capital that even in the darkest of times, God’s grace is still there.

"from santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole, 'cross rome the mystic elements unfold. The path of light is laid, the sacred test, Let angels guide you on your lofty quest"

Follow the Path of Illumination