Assassin Tombs

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Darius' sarcophagus inside Santa Maria Novella

The Assassin Tombs were six hidden tombs or shrines dedicated to several notable proto-Assassins and located across Italy between at least 1290 and 1486.

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. Furthrmore, inside each tomb lay an Assassin Seal, which, when brought together with the other five, unlocked a secure gate in the Sanctuary, beneath the Villa Auditore. Beyond the gate, the legendary Armor of Altaïr could be accessed.

Locations

The tombs were hidden within various churches and landmarks across a number of towns and cities in Italy, namely Florence, Venice, San Gimignano and Forlì. Secret paths to these tombs are opened by unlocking skull-shaped locks.

Florence and San Gimignano

Ezio entering the Santa Maria Novella tomb

There were three tombs within the regions of Florence and Tuscany. 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. 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. 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. This tomb was the resting place of Wei Yu, who had assassinated the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.

Forlì and Venice

The secret entrance's mechanism in use

Within the territories of Romagna and the Venetian lagoon, three more tombs were built. In Forlì, beneath the Rocca di Ravaldino, 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 housed a cenotaph of Amunet, who had been responsible for the death of Cleopatra and whose remains actually rested in Egypt.

The final tomb was beneath the Santa Maria della Visitazione, which held the body of Leonius, killer of Caligula.

Monteriggioni

Ezio in the Auditore family crypt

Built in Monteriggioni during the late 13th century, the Auditore Family Crypt 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.

During the 15th century, Domenico's great-great-grandson Ezio Auditore explored the crypt and learned of his family's history and its involvement with the Assassins.

Armor of Altaïr

Main article: Armor of Altaïr

Ezio obtaining the Armor of Altaïr

Obtaining all Assassin's Seals and placing them in their respective statues unlocked the gate which locked away Altaïr's armor, a suit of armor with the highest defense obtainable. Altaïr created the armor using the knowledge he absorbed through studying the Apple of Eden, to make it invulnerable to many weapons and dangers. It was indestructibe and unlike other types of armor it required no repairs. Dyes purchasable from tailors were not visible upon the armor, save on the inside of the hood.

This armor was later buried in the rubble of Villa Auditore during the Siege of Monteriggioni, when Cesare Borgia launched an attack on the town to recover the Apple of Eden from the Assassins.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed II