Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli

"I have a feeling there's more to this building than meets the eye so I'd suggest paying close attention to this one."

―Shaun Hastings on the Santa Maria Aracoeli^[src]

The Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli (English: Basilica of Saint Mary of the Altar of Heaven) was the church of the city council of Rome, one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

History

Construction

The church was constructed during the 13^th Century, was supposedly built on top of the Temple of Juno.

Renaissance

The Temple was also home to a Lair of Romulus, which Ezio Auditore discovered during his tenure in Rome during the Renaissance. Later, sometime after the liberation of Rome from the Borgia oppression, Ezio travelled to the church and made his way through it into the vault below.

Search for the Apple

Desmond Miles gained access to the basilica during 2012 after entering through the underground passageway and hidden entrances from the Colosseum. There, he solved a puzzle, pulling a lever that lifted a strange device, which later opened a secret entrance to the vault beneath the church.

Database entry

Adjacent to the Campidoglio square, this Basilica became the centre for religious and civic life in the city during the 14th century. The architect claimed climbing the daunting 124-step staircase leading to the main entrance on one's knees would absolve a Catholic of all sins. "Lord knows, I'd rather have murder on my knees than on my hands".

Some historians postulate the Basilica was built atop the ruins of Juno's temple. I have a feeling there's more to this building than meets the eye so I'd suggest paying close attention to this one.

Trivia

According to legend, Emperor Augustus was foretold of the arrival of Jesus Christ in the Temple of Juno atop the Capitol, and commissioned a "heavenly altar" (ara coeli) to be built inside. The Christian church is then said to be built directly upon this eponymous altar.
When playing as Ezio, the church can be viewed from the outside only, but when inside the church during modern times (as Desmond) the interior is a lot bigger than it appears on the outside.