Exploring the Best Angels and Demons Locations in Rome and the Vatican

Angels and Demons, the movie based on the book by Dan Brown, is set in Rome and the Vatican. Here are top places you’ll see in the movie. You can visit these places yourself next time you’re in Rome.

Saint Peter’s Square and Basilica

Vatican City is a tiny sovereign independent state and home to the Pope. Saint Peter’s Basilica, one of the world’s largest churches, and the significant Saint Peter’s Square dominate the Vatican and figure prominently in the movie. Entrance to Saint Peter’s Basilica is free; however, to visit the Vatican excavations—the necropolis beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica where part of the movie takes place—you’ll have to reserve ahead for a guided visit.

Castel Sant’ Angelo and Passetto

Castel Sant’ Angelo, constructed as a tomb for Emperor Hadrian in the second century, transitioned from a fortress to a papal residence in the 14th century. A secret passageway, the Passetto, connects it to the Vatican. In the movie, this serves as an ancient Illuminati location used towards the film’s conclusion. Today, Castel Sant’ Angelo hosts summer concerts. Visitors can also explore the Passetto, prison, and private rooms of Clement VII.

Piazza Navona and the Fountain of Four Rivers

Piazza Navona is a vibrant square framed by upscale cafes and Baroque palaces. This oval-shaped piazza features three magnificent Baroque fountains. The central fountain, known as the Fountain of the Rivers or Fontana Dei Fiumi, symbolizes Water on the Path of Illumination in the narrative. Designed by Bernini in the 1650s, the fountain represents four rivers: the Danube, the Ganges, the Nile, and the Rio de la Plata.

Santa Maria del Popolo and Piazza del Popolo

Santa Maria del Popolo, located in Piazza del Popolo, ranks among the earliest Renaissance churches in Rome. The Chigi Chapel, crafted by Raphael, showcases ceiling mosaics, pyramid-like tombs, and statues by Bernini. This chapel symbolizes Earth on the Path of Illumination in both the movie and the book.

Santa Maria della Vittoria

Santa Maria della Vittoria, a stunning Baroque church on Via XX Settembre, houses the renowned Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini, which signifies Fire on the Path of Illumination.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon in Rome, an ancient temple dedicated to all gods, was erected between AD 118-125 during Emperor Hadrian’s reign. Its dome remained the largest until Brunelleschi’s dome at the Florence Cathedral was completed in 1420-36. Throughout the 7th century, early Christians converted it into a church, making it one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome. The Pantheon is now surrounded by a lively piazza, a delightful spot for an evening drink. Admission to the Pantheon is free.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, constructed from 1473-1481, serves as the Pope’s private chapel and is the site for papal elections by the Cardinals. Michelangelo’s celebrated ceiling frescoes depict the creation and the story of Noah, while he also decorated the altar wall with the Last Judgment. Notably, works by various other renowned artists can be observed here. The chapel is part of the Vatican Museums.

Ensure to purchase tickets or secure a tour in advance to avoid long waiting times. Select Italy, a US company, offers Vatican Museums tickets as well as small group (6 people) Vatican and Sistine Chapel tours online. For a more exclusive experience, consider a Before or After Hours Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums Tour.

Caserta Royal Palace

Caserta Royal Palace served as the filming location for numerous scenes in Angels and Demons that occurred in Vatican City, as filming there was not permitted. Caserta Royal Palace, or Reggia di Caserta, located northeast of Naples, is an opulent 18th-century Bourbon palace often used for cinematic production. This breathtaking palace has also been featured in other films, including Star Wars Episode I and II, and Mission Impossible III, where it doubled as Vatican City.