Assassin Tombs

Il Duomo’s Secret

Entrance: On the north side of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence-the switch is clearly visible from the street.

1: Climb the wall to the left of the main doors (located not far west of your starting position), then move onto the platform to the right. Free run to the second of the two decorative arches on the north wall. Now jump onto the beams and make your way to the first chandelier. From here, use the other chandeliers and wooden beams to reach a platform on the south wall. Landing here will create a first shortcut back to the upper level.

2: Run along the beam and climb to the top platform, then turn and jump to the beam near the window; now swing, free run and jump along the face of the south wall to reach a chandelier. Now head to the beam in the north via the chandeliers and wooden platform. From the beam, jump to the stone platform then climb to its upper level. Again, free fun and swing your way to a chandelier to the east. Turn right and make your way over the obvious free run elements to reach a platform on the south wall. Move to the end of the beam, then use the poles to the east to arrive at a platform below. This will activate a second ladder shortcut.

3: Jump to the circular structure, then jump over to the small balcony below the organ pipes. Face north, then use the beams and chandelier to reach an identical balcony on the opposite side of the room; from there, jump to the other side of the circular structure. Move around to the west. Climb onto the nearby platform via the wooden planks and beam, then jump to another platform further north.

4: Walk over the beams and leap over to a platform on the north wall. Climb to the balcony above it, then use the wooden beams to get to a suspended platform. Jump to the stone ledge, then swing via the pole to a wooden platform below; from there, use the chandelier to reach a platform further south. Use the wooden ledges to traverse to the left, then climb up to the walkway above. Use one of the two beams to reach a larger wooden beam to the west; move onto the protruding section to leap over to the nearby balcony.

5: Jump over to a suspended wooden platform (if you collected Hidden Treasure #1, you’re already there), then hop over to the next balcony. Free run up to the ladder, then climb to the top. Free run all the way around the outer edge of the dome until you reach an area of climbable brickwork revealed by camera view.

6: Climb up to the wooden beams, then leap over to a platform in the center of the dome. At the top of the ladder, open the sarcophagus to receive the Seal of Iltani, then exit via the flashing window.

Torre Grossa’s Secret

Entrance: In an alleyway behind the Palazzo Comunale in San Gimignano in Tuscany.

1: Climb up to the ledge that runs around the inside of the wall, then make your way to the gate, throw the lever to open it. Head up the stairs. The wine cellar is patrolled by a small collection of guards, so it’s prudent to silence them before you continue. Climb on top of a wooden rack holding eight barrels, then jump over to the platform in the southwest corner of the room. Leap over to the ledge to the right, then traverse laterally to reach a walkway. At the end of this, jump over to a ledge on your left. Move to the right, around a corner, and climb onto the platform.

2: This route is only necessary if you choose to leave Hidden Treasure #1. Run up the stairs, then jump to a beam. Climb up to the balcony and assassinate the guard there. Hop over to the chandelier, then leap to the ropes just to the north. Move left to reach a platform, then leap over to the beam.

3: Climb over the barrier and walk forward to trigger a cutscene. Remain concealed and watch the movements of the three guards if you intend to perform stealth kills, or just burst into the library and fight them if you are not averse to the idea of a quick brawl. When you are ready, climb on top of a bookcase in the southeast corner of the room. Free run to the wooden beams to the west, then jump over to a wall ring. Climb up to the balcony and assassinate the guards. Use the chandeliers as a route to the north wall, then jump over to a window and climb to the platform above. Now free run (via the poles and ropes) to the next balcony and kill the guard.

4: Walk through the open door on the west side of the balcony to reach the tower area. Run up the ramp, then use the hanging beams to continue your ascent. When you get to the second beam on the south wall, turn around and hop over to the balcony; this short-cut will enable you to assassinate the guard without first alerting him. Climb the ladder, then free run around the outer walls of the tower until you reach a collection of wall rings. Jump over to these. When the camera view changes, watch the movements of the guard to judge the best moment to climb up and strike.

5: Climb up and grab the lintel above the window, then use the wall rings to reach a wooden beam. Jump over to the wall rings, then climb into the rafters. Hop over the beams to a group of three rings in the northwest corner. Climb to the wooden ledges, then traverse to the right to get to a higher beam. The wall rings to your right enable access to the final room. Collect the Seal of Wei Yu from the sarcophagus, then exit via the ceiling hatch.

Ravaldino’s Secret

Entrance: On the outer wall of the Rocca di Ravaldino in Forlì in Romagna.

1: Dive into the water and swim to the platform in the north. Hop over to the upper area, then climb to reach a ledge. Spring back onto the stone platform. Now make your way to the lever to the south via the wooden beams. Activate it to raise the portcullis, then quickly jump down and sprint through before it drops.

2: Drop down until you reach the water, then dive under the metal gate. Climb onto the brickwork, then turn left and free run to the bottom of the well. Wall run up to the first ledge, then spring back to reach another; repeat the process until you trigger a cutscene at the top. Assassinate the guard, then dispatch all of his companions. Make your way to the southwest corner of the area and climb on top of a scaffold, then jump to the east and enter the room-watch out for another guard here if he didn’t enter the fray earlier. Wall run up to the top of a decorative shield, then spring back to reach a ledge.

3: Pull the lever to lower the gate, then free run through before it raises. On the other side, operate a second lever to lower another gate, then free run to the south wall. Turn left and jump over to the beams, then move to the top of the wall. Grab the small ledge just above, then traverse to the left and drop onto a beam. Run down the stairs and climb through the opening at the bottom.

4: Deal with all guards in the vicinity, then head to the northeast corner of the lower area. Climb to the top of the fence, then free run in a clockwise route to get to a balcony. Use the shields to reach and climb through a hole in the wall. The final trial is to activate the lever, then follow a reasonably complicated path to run through a gate before it slams shut. You may find it helpful to practice at least once before you begin. Once you are ready, pull the lever and jump to the right-hand wall section at the start of the tunnel. Jump to the left, onto the broken arch, then run north and jump to a beam. Wall run to the ledge on your left, then spring back to reach a platform. Jump to the beam then swing on the pole and hit the ground running to pass through the gate before it closes. Collect the Seal of Qulan Gal from the sarcophagus, then exit via the trapdoor.

San Marco’s Secret

Entrance: You’ll find a ladder on top of the Basilica di San Marco in Venice, with the secret entrance just below.

Introduction: From your starting position, head straight to the waypoint marker and use the switch to set up four free running and climbing trials-one each for the north, east, south and west areas of the church. These “physical puzzles” challenge you to discover and follow a very specific route to reach a lever within a short timeframe. Take too long, and the lever will retract. I advise that you practice each course at least once before you attempt it against the clock. Once all four trials have been completed, drop down into the secret area to collect your prize: the Seal of Amunet.

North: Stand on the north switch plate, then hop over the fence and climb the pulpit to your right. Jump over to the stone pillar and, from there, to the platform on the left. Use the poles to the north to reach the lintel over the doorway, then jump to the ledge on the right. Move along until you reach an arch, then use the decorative fittings to climb up to the balustrade above. Run alongside the north wall and free run over the boxes; wall run up to the hanging rings. Move to the top, then spring backwards to land on the beam. Finally, jump onto the lever before it retracts.

East: Stand on the east switch plate, then sprint forward to reach two tables covered in white cloth at the back end of the apse; use these to reach an alcove. From here, jump onto the platform to the left, then turn left again and make your way onto the platform at the center of the area. Climb onto the balcony to the north, then head left and left again. Free run over the improvised “bridge” to reach a ledge on the far side. Traverse to the left, past the pillars, and climb up onto the balcony. Scale the organ pipes to reach the flat surface on top and, from there, leap to the lever.

South: Stand on the south switch plate, then climb the pulpit to the left. Free run to the south (via a pole and suspended platform) until you reach a thin dividing wall. Turn right and run along the wall until you pass under an arch; hop over to the platform directly ahead. Turn right and use the wooden beams to reach a ledge on the left-hand side of the arch, then climb up and over the balustrade to reach the upper walkway. Leap over to the first of two hanging cruciform decorations, then drop and traverse to its easternmost arm; climb back up and hop over to the next one and do the same again to reach the walkway. Turn right and free run over the beams to arrive at the south wall, then climb to the center of the window and spring back to grab the lever.

West: Stand on the west switch, then free run over the left-hand column of benches and climb onto a decorative screen. Move under the archway and use the two platforms to reach a ledge to the west. Traverse around until you see a beam beneath Ezio, then drop onto it. Use the beams that extend from the west wall to progress north; at the far side, climb via the ring to reach the upper level. Run around the corner to reach the huge window, and climb the cross at the center. When Ezio reaches the top, spring backwards and then swing via the two poles to reach the lever.

Visitazione’s Secret

Entrance: On the west face of the tower at Santa Maria Della Visitazione in Venice.

Opening Chase: Head along the tunnel and perform a Leap of Faith from the beam. Assassinate the Brute, then give chase as the Agile flees. Pay special attention when you reach the final corridor. If you can free run from a sheet-covered step to a wooden platform suspended over the lower path, there is an opportunity to perform a perfect Air Assassination at the end. You can then stroll through the open gate and past the oblivious guards in the adjacent room. If you don’t catch the Agile in time, you will instead need to climb through a gap to the right of the closed gate, and then fight him and a group of his cohorts.

1: Free run up to the pole on the tower and swing to the stone platform. Move to the right-hand side of the platform, then wall run and jump right to reach the first bar.

2: Once the cutscene ends, swing to the steps. Wall run up the shield and jump left. Free run and swing over the poles in quick succession to reach the southeast corner of the chamber. Wall run and jump right to reach the second bar.

3: Swing to the ledge below and sprint to the ruined railing. Free run over the wall sections in the southwest corner to reach the third bar.

4: This is the most difficult stretch. Don’t allow the acceleration of the mechanism to panic you. Swing from the bar to a broken column, then free run to a platform further north. Follow it around to reach a  surface with streaming water; approach it and wall run, then jump left to reach a higher level. Jump over the gap to another platform (past the back of the statue), then turn to face north and gather your wits for the finale: a free running sequence over two bars, a broken column and a pole to reach the raised area in the northwest corner. Jump to the final bar to unlock the way forward. Enter the burial chamber to retrieve the Seal of Leonius.