The Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli (English: Basilica of Saint Mary on the Altar of Heaven) is a Franciscan church[1] in Rome dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus.
History[]
Construction[]
The church was constructed during the 13th century, when it was supposedly built on top of the Temple of Juno Moneta.[2]
Renaissance[]
The Temple was also home to a Lair of Romulus, which the Italian Assassin Ezio Auditore discovered during his tenure in Rome during the Renaissance. During this same period, Ezio funded the renovation of the church as one of the many buildings and monuments throughout the city that provided income for the Assassins.[3]
Later, sometime after the liberation of Rome from Borgia oppression, Ezio traveled to the church and made his way through it into the Vault below, where he stored his Apple of Eden.[3]
Modern times[]
In 2012, Desmond Miles gained access to the basilica after entering through the underground passageway and hidden entrances from the Colosseum. There, he solved a puzzle, pulling a lever which raised a strange device. Upon touching it, Desmond opened a secret entrance to the Vault beneath the church, allowing him and his fellow Assassins to access it.[3]
Trivia[]
- According to legend, Emperor Augustus was foretold of Jesus of Nazareth's birth in the Temple of Juno atop the Capitol, and commissioned a "heavenly altar" (ara coeli) to be built inside. The Christian church was then said to be built directly upon this eponymous altar.[1]
- While playing as Ezio, the church could be viewed from the outside only, but when inside the church during modern times, as Desmond, the interior was larger than it appeared on the outside.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1
Santa Maria in Ara Coeli on Wikipedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood – Database: Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
