In the second of her guest posts, TripAtlas travel girl Gizelle Lau takes us on a tour of Rome’s top sights to coincide with the new adaptation of Dan Brown’s best selling novel, Angels & Demons…

In this adventure, Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks) teams up with his female counterpart, Vittoria Vetra (played by Ayelet Zurer), to investigate and uncover the conspiracy secretly wreaking havoc in the Vatican and threatening the eternal city of Rome with destruction… On the way, though, they encounter some of Rome’s most iconic and spectacular monuments!

Santa Maria del Popolo was built in 1099 by the Pope and later renovated in the early 1400’s. At the Santa Maria del Popolo, you’ll see Raphael’s “Creation Of The World” mosaic on the dome of the chapel which plays a significant part in the movie Angels & Demons. The Santa Maria del Popolo is the first church in the movie and was actually used twice as a set – once as the church itself, another as a building opposite to a police station.

The Sistine Chapel was built by Pope Sixtus IV (hence the name, ‘Sistine’) in the 14th century and its walls are the most famous in the world. Painted by the greatest artists of its time (Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Botticelli), it is nonetheless known as Michelangelo’s masterpiece. It is here that the selection of new Popes is carried out by the Papal Conclave, as is seen in the movie. A full-sized set was built for filming, from the mosaic floors to massive and intricate wall paintings. To put the set together, the production designers visited the Sistine Chapel and tried to take as many photos as the could before they were asked to stop – a well-known “no-no” in the Sistine Chapel, as is speaking or making too much noise.

St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica is known as the centre of the Roman Catholic Church. The best time to visit is on Sunday morning to hear a mass and get a glimpse of the Pope himself. It is in St. Peter’s Square that a large part of the story unfolds, in the midst of the crowds waiting for the election of a new pope. Today, when you step into St. Peter’s Basilica, you can’t help but be amazed and stunned at the grandeur of the church.

Santa Maria Vittoria is known for the intricate and glorious sculpture of Bernini that resides within its marble walls: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, finished in 1646. The statue features St. Teresa being pierced in the heart with a golden shaft, causing both pain and joy for the saint. The church was actually recreated for the movie filming but since Brown’s novel, has become a popular tourist site in Rome.

The Pantheon is one of the most stunning and breathtaking buildings in the world and has stood at the centre of Rome for almost 2,000 years.  Its current version was built by Emperor Hadrian in 125 A.D.  The most unique feature of the Pantheon is its 7.8-metre hole in its ceiling which floods light throughout the edifice and acts as an ancient sundial.  Here you’ll find the tomb of the modern kings of Italy and of Raphael. Filming was done outside the Pantheon but the whole interior was recreated as a set for the film, right down to Raphael’s tomb.

Piazza Navona is known as one of the most artistic and dramatic piazzas in Rome, with its colourful buildings and three prominent baroque statues. A popular place for travelers and locals to visit during festivals and celebrations, it has tons of cafes, shops and entertainers looking to make a dollar at night. At it’s center, Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) statue is an important clue on Langdon’s adventure.

Castel Sant’Angelo or “Castle of Angels” is an ancient fortressed castle that was built in 139 A.D. as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, re-builder of the Pantheon. Just metres from Vatican City, the fortress has also been used as a home to the Pope during difficult political times as well as a prison. Today, the castle serves as a historic museum and tourist attraction.

Ed. – One of the best things about many of these attractions for backpackers in Europe, however, is that they’re free to explore! Looking for more info on visiting Rome on a budget? Check out our top 10 things to do for under $10, plus browse hostels in Rome for a cheap accommodation solution.