Not just for fans of Dan Brownand his book Angels & Demons, this post takes you to some of the most beautiful churchs, fountains and piazzas in Rome, sites where pagan symbolism and christianity intermingle.
You can discovery the Altars of Science representing the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, by decoding the secret messages hidden in the Bernini’s sculptures, and finally the fifth secret element.
1 Altar of the Science … EARTH
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The mystery begins from the North of Rome, Porta del Popolo, to discover one of the most famous square of Rome and its church, Piazza del Popolo and the church of Santa Maria del Popolo.
In the Chigi Chapel we will find the first Altar of Science.
2 Altar of the Science … AIR
The adventure continues inside the Vatican State. Discovering Saint Peter Square, the largest Christian church in the world with its obelisk.
3 Altar of the Science … FIRE
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Discovering the third element in the beautiful church of Santa Maria della Vittoria: in the Cornano Chapel you will see the ecstasy of St. Teresa, woman inflamed by passion’s fire.
The Bernini masterpiece, the most important expression of the Baroque art, contains the Angel which indicates the way to the last Altar of the science.
4 Altar of the Science … WATER
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The experience will let us to visit the Pantheon Temple. The largest dome, ever built in the past, is famous for the circular opening in the middle: it is still subject of mysterious folk stories.
Here we will able to reveal the last highlight, Navona Square and the Four Rivers Fountain, tribute to water by Bernini to represent the Continents through their rivers: the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio della Plata.
In the middle of the fountain the angel will show you the way to the secret temple of the Illuminati.
The Illuminate’s Lair … CASTEL SANT’ANGELO
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Crossing the bridge of the Angels on the Tiber, we find the wonderful statue of Bernini’s Angel that shows our final destination: Castel Sant’Angelo , the beautiful medieval fortress topped with a balcony that offers a view of the famous passage connecting the Vatican Castel Sant’Angelo and a stunning city view.