See the Illuminati path with a licensed guide
Angels & Demons small-group tour: the churches and Bernini masterpieces from the novel, max 8 guests, €60 per person.
The Chigi Chapel in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo is a small jewel designed by Raphael and completed by Bernini. In Angels and Demons it is the “Earth” altar, the first stop of the Path of Illumination.
Quick answer: the Chigi Chapel is inside Santa Maria del Popolo, on the north side of Piazza del Popolo, next to the old city gate. Entry to the church is free, and the chapel is the second on the left as you enter.
A chapel by Raphael and Bernini
The banker Agostino Chigi asked Raphael to design his family chapel in the early 16th century. Raphael planned the architecture and the mosaics of the dome. More than a century later, Bernini completed the work for Pope Alexander VII, a member of the Chigi family, adding the statues of Habakkuk with the Angel and Daniel with the Lion.
What to look for
- The dome mosaics of God the creator surrounded by the planets.
- The two pyramid-shaped tombs of the Chigi family.
- Bernini’s statues of Habakkuk and Daniel, which play a key role in the novel.
See the Illuminati path with a licensed guide
Angels & Demons small-group tour: the churches and Bernini masterpieces from the novel, max 8 guests, €60 per person.
The “Earth” altar in Angels and Demons
In the book, Langdon finds the first clue in the “demon’s hole” of this chapel, and the angel’s pointing hand sends him on to the next altar. The church also has masterpieces by Caravaggio in the Cerasi Chapel, next to the main altar. Read more in our guide to the real Illuminati path in Rome.
See it with a guide on our Angels & Demons tour
A 3-hour small-group walk along the whole Illuminati path with a licensed guide. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Chigi Chapel in Rome?
Inside the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, on Piazza del Popolo.
Who designed the Chigi Chapel?
Raphael designed it for the banker Agostino Chigi; Bernini later completed it with new sculptures.
Is the Chigi Chapel in Angels and Demons?
Yes. In the novel it is the “Earth” altar, the first stop of the Path of Illumination.
Are there Caravaggio paintings in Santa Maria del Popolo?
Yes, two Caravaggio paintings are in the Cerasi Chapel, to the left of the main altar.