Dan Brown’s Inferno takes place in Florence and Venice, Italy; and Istanbul, Turkey. The plot is based on Dante Alighieri’s masterpiece, the Divine Comedy , and there are many references to this work and its author. At Inferno, you’ll also get an academic look at the art and history of Florence, Venice, and Istanbul.
Boboli Gardens
Direction
Piazza de ‘Pitti, 1 , 50125 Florence FI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 055 229 8732
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Robert Langdon and his new partner, Dr. Sienna Brooks, begin their search in the Boboli Gardens, which is a large park behind the Pitti Palace (also known as Palazzo Pitti). Surrounded by walls, entry to the extensive gardens (ticket required) is through the Pitti Palace. Inside the gardens are sculptures, fountains, flowers, tree-lined walkways, and hidden grottoes (which you’ll learn more about in the book).
Vasari Corridor
Direction
Via della Ninna, 5 , 50122 Florence FI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 055 23885
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The Vasari Corridor is a secret passageway, just over 0.5 miles long, that connects the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens with the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, on the other side of the Arno River. The elevated walkway crosses the river over the Ponte Vecchio, where there are windows for the views. Inside the corridor, which can only be visited on a special guided tour, there are more than 1,000 works of art. Reservations are required for tours.
Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery
Direction
Piazza della Signoria , 50122 Florence FI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 055 276 8325
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The Palazzo Vecchio, which is the town hall of Florence, dates from the late 14th century. It is one of Florence’s most famous landmarks, and its tower rises above the city (seeing the tower, Langdon realizes where it is at the beginning of the book). The rooms are decorated with works and frescoes by various Renaissance artists. While it still houses the government of Florence, most of the building is now a museum. Palazzo Vecchio is located in the beautiful Piazza della Signoria. Connected to the palace is the famous Uffizi Gallery, one of the best museums in Italy and one of the most important in the world for Renaissance art.
Baptistery of Florence
Direction
Piazza San Giovanni , 50122 Florence FI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 055 230 2885
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The Baptistery of Saint John, or San Giovanni, is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Built in an octagonal shape, the Baptistery is famous for its gilded bronze door, Porta del Paradiso , whose panels contain reliefs of biblical scenes. The Baptistery doors are now replicas of the original, kept in the cathedral museum. Inside, many famous Florentines were baptized, including Dante Alighieri.
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Grand Canal in Venice
Direction
Grand Canal, 30100 Venice , Metropolitan City of Venice , ItalyGet directions
When Robert and Sienna arrive in Venice by train, they immediately head down the Grand Canal to reach St. Mark’s Square. The Grand Canal in Venice, Canale Grande , is like the main street of the city built on canals, running through the center of Venice and crossed by only four bridges. As it is the main waterway, the canal is filled with all kinds of vessels, from gondolas and water buses to private boats and fishing boats. Although the most common way to get to St. Mark’s Square is by vaporetto number 1, it is also the slowest. As a result, Robert, Sienna, and their new partner rent a private boat.
St Mark’s Basilica
Direction
Haberdashery Clock , 30124 Venice VE , ItalyGet directions
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St. Mark’s Basilica, San Marcos, is the main church in Venice and an example of Byzantine architecture adorned with Romanesque and Gothic touches. The basilica, consecrated in 832, is dedicated to the patron saint of Venice, Saint Mark, and contains his relics and many treasures, including impressive golden Byzantine mosaics and paintings by important Venetian artists. On the outside, the five domes that crown the church, the turrets, the multicolored marble columns and the three arches of the main portal stand out. Also featured in the book is St Mark’s Clock Tower, of which Langdon points out that James Bond had cast a villain in Moonraker .
Ducal Palace
Direction
Piazza San Marco, 1 , 30124 Venice VE , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 271 5911
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The Doge’s Palace, Palazzo Ducale, was the seat of power of the Republic of Venice for about 700 years until 1797. The palace was the residence of the Doge, the ruler of the Republic of Venice, and held administrative offices of the government, courts of law , ballrooms, Great halls, stairs and prisons. First built in the 10th century, the palace underwent several renovations and expansions, and the current building is primarily Gothic. The interior was decorated by some of the best artists in Venice. The Palazzo Ducale is open to the public, and one of the best ways to see it is on a Secret Itineraries Tour.
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
Direction
Sultan Ahmet, Hagia Sophia Square , 34122 Fatih / Istanbul , TurquiaGet directions
Telephone
+90212522 17 50
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The story concludes in Istanbul with a visit inside the impressive Hagia Sophia, built as a church in the 6th century. In 1453, it was converted into a mosque and is now a museum open to the public. The interior is filled with impressive Byzantine mosaics. There is also a scene in the Istanbul spice bazaar.
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Brunelleschi hotels
Direction
Piazza Sant’Elisabetta, 3 , 50122 Florence FI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 055 27370
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While in Florence, Robert Langdon stays at the Hotel Brunelleschi, which is a four-star hotel in the heart of Florence, close to the cathedral and Dante’s house and a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The hotel includes a restored ancient tower believed to be the oldest building in Florence and a restored medieval church. There is a small private museum in the tower with finds from the restoration.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Direction
Piazza del Duomo , 50122 Florence FI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 055 230 2885
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At the end of the book, Robert Langdon, now alone, returns to Florence, where he goes to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or the duomo . The duomo was designed in 1296 and built on the remains of a 4th century cathedral, but the dome was added later. Known as Brunelleschi’s Dome , it was completed in 1436 and was the largest in the world until the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in 1615. The interior of the cathedral is largely unadorned, although there are some pieces of art, including a fresco of Dante and his Divine Comedy.
Finally, Robert briefly returns to Palazzo Vecchio before his flight back to Boston.
Tour of the Hell of Florence based on the novel by Dan Brown
Visit the sites of Florence featured in Dan Brown’s book, Inferno , on a unique guided tour led by an art historian, booked through Select Italy. On this tour, you will follow the path of Robert Langdon and Dr. Sienna Brooks, the main characters, visiting the places they went while learning more about the art historian’s monuments and symbols.
Sites of angels and demons in Rome and the Vatican
Direction
00120 , Vatican CityGet directions
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Angels & Demons , another Dan Brown book turned into a movie, takes place in Rome and the Vatican. St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, and the massive St. Peter’s Square dominate the Vatican and feature prominently in the film.
