Assassin Tombs
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The Assassin Tombs were hidden tombs or shrines dedicated to several notable Assassins, located across Italy by at least the late Middle Ages.
Locations
Built by members of the Italian Brotherhood of Assassins as dedications to the lives of their residents, each crypt contained a wealth of treasure and a statue of the Assassin who was being dedicated. Furthermore, inside each tomb lay an Assassin Seal, which, when brought together with the other five, would unlock a secure gate in the Sanctuary beneath the Villa Auditore in Monteriggioni. Beyond the gate, the legendary Armor of Altaïr could be accessed.
The tombs were hidden within various churches and landmarks across a number of towns and cities in Italy. Secret paths to these tombs could be opened by unlocking skull-shaped locks.
Florence and San Gimignano
Within the region of Tuscany there were three tombs, two in Florence and one in San Gimignano.
The first was located within the catacombs of the Santa Maria Novella, and was discovered by the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze in 1478, after eavesdropping on a Templar meeting.[1] This tomb was the resting place of Darius, who assassinated Xerxes I of Persia.
The second tomb was located in the Santa Maria del Fiore, within the lanterna above the building's domed top.[2] Here rested Iltani, who was responsible for the death of Alexander the Great.
The third tomb was within San Gimignano, and was built atop the Torre Grossa, although entrance to the tomb was only possible by passing through the city's Palazzo Comunale below.[3] This tomb was the resting place of Wei Yu, who had assassinated the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.
Forlì and Venice
Within the territories of Romagna and the Venetian lagoon, three more tombs were built. In Forlì, beneath the Rocca di Ravaldino,[4] lay the tomb of Qulan Gal, the deathbringer of Genghis Khan.
The other two lay in Venice; within the district of San Marco, the eponymous Basilica di San Marco[5] housed a cenotaph of Amunet, who had been responsible for the death of Cleopatra and whose remains actually rested in Egypt.[6]
The final tomb was beneath the Santa Maria della Visitazione,[7] which held the body of Leonius, killer of Caligula.
Armor of Altaïr
- Main article: Armor of Altaïr
Retrieving all the six Assassin's Seals and placing them in their respective statues would unlock the gate which locked away Altaïr's armor in Monteriggioni. Altaïr had created the armor using the knowledge he absorbed through studying his Apple of Eden, to make it invulnerable to many weapons and dangers.
Upon visiting the six tombs and recovering the six seals, Ezio obtained the suit of armor.[8]
Monteriggioni
Another tomb, the Auditore Family Crypt, was built in Monteriggioni during the late 13th century. It was constructed by Domenico Auditore to serve as the resting place of Domenico and his son. The story of Domenico's life was inscribed across the walls along the pathway, from the main entrance to the crypt itself.
At the same time of his search for the seals, Ezio (Domenico's great-great-grandson) explored this crypt as well, thus learning of his family's history and its involvement with the Assassins.[9]
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed II (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Memories (indirect mention only)
References
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Novella's Secret.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Il Duomo's Secret.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Torre Grossa's Secret.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Ravaldino's Secret.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – San Marco's Secret.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Visitazione's Secret.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Paying Respects.