Castel Sant'Angelo
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The Castel Sant'Angelo, initially known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a significant, cylindrical fortress located on the Vatican. An end point to the Passetto di Borgo, Ezio Auditore da Firenze scaled the Castel Sant'Angelo in 1499 during his infiltration of the Sistine Chapel.
History
Firstly, the Castel Sant'Angelo was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a tomb for himself and his family. Later, during the Renaissance, the building was used by the popes as a fortress and castle.
The Roman Era
The tomb of Hadrian, also called Hadrian's mole, was constructed on the right bank of the Tiber, between 135 and 139 AD. It was originally a decorated cylinder, with a garden top and golden quadriga. Hadrian's ashes were placed here a year after his death in 138 AD, together with those of his wife, and his first adopted son, who died in the same year. Furtherly, remains of succeeding emperors were placed here as well. Hadrian also built the Ponte Sant'Angelo, formerly known as Pons Aelius.
Destruction
Much of the tomb contents and decoration had been destroyed since the building was changed into a military fortress in 401. The urns and ashes were scattered by looters in Alaric's sacking of Rome in 410, and the original decorations were thrown down upon the attacking Goths when they besieged Rome in 537.
Liberation of Rome
The Castel is the most heavily guarded building in Rome. In 1501, Ezio Auditore infiltrated the Castel to rescue Caterina Sforza, and to assassinate Cesare and Rodrigo Borgia. However, though he successfully rescued Caterina, he was unable to kill either Templar leader, after he discovered that Rodrigo was away from the Castel, and that Cesare had left for Urbino moments after Ezio had arrived.
In August 1503, Ezio once again infiltrated the Castel through a side gate with a key he had obtained from Lucrezia's lover Pietro. At a window along the wall of the fortress, he witnessed the murder of Rodrigo Borgia at the hands of Cesare. Ezio also found out the location of the Apple of Eden, thanks to Lucrezia, after realizing what kind of man her brother was.[1]
Trivia
- Throughout Sequence 5, the large door near the four papal guards and the fence accessing the lower courtyard are closed, so completion of the "Fly Like An Eagle" achievement is not possible until further game progression.
- Despite being the highest reachable climb point of any Assassin's Creed game, the flagpole atop the Castel is not a view point.
- After climbing the flagpole and looking out at the cityscape, clouds appear over the city, showing that the Castel is a very tall building.
- The achievement/trophy "Fly Like An Eagle" for 10 points or bronze can be earned when Ezio jumps off the pinnacle height of the Castel (the top of the flagpole) with a parachute.
- One of Subject 16's coordinates is located here. Jump across the beams in the water (the same way you go in the mission to rescue Caterina). Once you reach the first group of guards, climb up the ladder and then up the wall to your right (again the same route from the mission). Head left on the walkway towards the hay. Jump to the tower directly across from you, there should be a round window. Use eagle vision and the rift should be just below you. Drop down, catch it, and enter.
