The Four Altars of Science: The Illuminati Path in a Small Group

In the novel, four cardinals are murdered at four churches, each branded with an element, and the trail is meant to be followed in order. This walk follows it on the ground, which turns out to be a good route through Rome whatever you think of the book. It starts at Santa Maria della Vittoria, where the third cardinal is found branded with fire, and where Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa actually is. The Pantheon comes next, and this is the stop the plot depends on: Langdon goes there having misread a clue, when the church he wanted was Santa Maria del Popolo. That mistake is why the book has a second act. Then St Peter's Square, and the spot where the cardinal branded with air is found. Piazza della Repubblica. Piazza Navona, where the fourth is found in the water. And Castel Sant'Angelo, which the novel makes the Illuminati's meeting place, with the Passetto running from it to the Vatican. Every monument is seen from the outside, which is stated plainly here and is worth knowing before booking. Small group. The guide waits in front of the church.