Explore the real-world places that appear in Conclave by Robert Harris. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Sistine Chapel, Domus Sanctae Marthae, Apostolic Palace, St. Peter's Basilica, Pauline Chapel and 5 more.
Vatican Museums — The papal conclave election chamber
The heart of the novel, where Cardinal Lomeli oversees the secret papal election. The 118 cardinals are locked inside for the most dramatic and politically charged conclave in centuries. Beneath Michelangelo's frescoes, they cast their ballots while Lomeli navigates shocking revelations about Cardinal Tremblay's past, Cardinal Adeyemi's scandals, and the mysterious appearance of Cardinal Benitez. The chapel becomes a pressure cooker of ambition, faith, and intrigue as multiple ballots fail to produce a pope.
Built between 1477-1480 for Pope Sixtus IV, the Sistine Chapel has hosted papal conclaves since 1492. Michelangelo painted the ceiling frescoes (1508-1512) and The Last Judgment (1536-1541). The chapel's role as the conclave site was formalized in the 20th century.
The Sistine Chapel remains the site of papal elections and houses one of the world's most famous art collections. Visitors can tour it as part of the Vatican Museums, though photography is prohibited and silence is enforced.
Visit: Vatican Museums (museum)
Vatican City — Cardinals' residence during conclave
Cardinal Lomeli's temporary home during the conclave, where he rooms with other cardinals in simple quarters. The guesthouse becomes a hub of whispered conversations and political maneuvering between voting sessions. Here, Lomeli receives disturbing intelligence about his fellow cardinals and struggles with his own doubts about faith and leadership. The dining hall buzzes with tension as cardinals form alliances and share rumors about each other's pasts.
Completed in 1996 under Pope John Paul II, the Domus Sanctae Marthae was built as a residence for Vatican guests and clergy. It was specifically designed to house cardinals during conclaves, replacing the previous practice of setting up temporary beds in the Apostolic Palace.
The guesthouse continues to serve as the official residence for cardinals during papal elections and houses Vatican visitors year-round. Pope Francis chose to live here rather than the traditional papal apartments, making it his permanent residence since 2013.
Vatican City — Papal apartments and offices
The deceased pope's former residence, now sealed and empty, casts a shadow over the conclave proceedings. Cardinal Lomeli reflects on his private meetings here with the late pontiff, including crucial conversations about church reform and the secret cardinal appointment. The palace's papal apartments remain locked during the election, symbolizing the vacant throne of St. Peter that the cardinals must fill.
The Apostolic Palace has been the official papal residence since the return from Avignon in 1377. The current structure dates primarily from the 16th century, with the Papal Apartments located on the top floor. It houses the Pope's private residence, offices, and reception rooms.
While Pope Francis lives in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Apostolic Palace remains the center of papal administration. Parts are open to the public through Vatican Museums tours, including the Raphael Rooms and papal audience halls.
Visit: Vatican Museums (museum)
St. Peter's Square — The center of Catholic faith
The massive basilica looms over the conclave proceedings, its dome visible from the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Lomeli visits here to pray and reflect between ballot sessions, seeking guidance in the church where St. Peter is buried. The basilica represents both the weight of tradition and the future direction of the Catholic Church that the new pope will lead.
Built between 1506-1626 to replace the original 4th-century basilica, St. Peter's was designed by architects including Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. It stands over the tomb of St. Peter and has been the ceremonial center of Catholic Christianity for over 400 years.
St. Peter's Basilica remains one of the world's largest churches and a major pilgrimage destination. Daily masses are held, papal audiences occur in the square, and millions of visitors tour the basilica annually to see masterpieces like Michelangelo's Pietà.
Visit: St. Peter's Basilica (historic site)
Apostolic Palace — Cardinals' prayer chapel
Cardinal Lomeli and his fellow cardinals gather here for prayer and meditation before each day's voting begins. The chapel serves as a spiritual refuge from the political machinations of the conclave. Here, Lomeli contemplates the moral complexities of the election and seeks divine guidance as shocking revelations about the candidates emerge.
Built in the 1540s and decorated with Michelangelo's last frescoes (The Conversion of St. Paul and The Crucifixion of St. Peter), the Pauline Chapel serves as the pope's private chapel. It's traditionally where cardinals pray before processing to the Sistine Chapel for conclave sessions.
The Pauline Chapel remains the pope's private chapel and is used for small papal ceremonies. It's rarely open to the public, making it one of the Vatican's most exclusive sacred spaces, accessible only through special Vatican Museums tours on rare occasions.
Apostolic Palace — Royal reception hall
The grand ceremonial hall where Cardinal Lomeli processes with his fellow cardinals before entering the Sistine Chapel for voting. The hall's Renaissance frescoes depicting papal victories provide an ironic backdrop to the modern power struggles unfolding during the conclave. The cardinals' solemn procession through this space marks the beginning of each crucial voting session.
Completed in 1573, the Sala Regia was designed as the grandest reception hall in the Apostolic Palace. Its frescoes by Vasari and others celebrate papal military and diplomatic victories. Historically, it served as the throne room where popes received kings and emperors.
The Sala Regia continues to be used for formal Vatican ceremonies and diplomatic receptions. It's part of the Vatican Museums tour route, allowing visitors to see the spectacular Renaissance frescoes and ornate architectural details.
Visit: Vatican Museums (museum)
Vatican City — Papal document repository
Cardinal Lomeli's investigation into Cardinal Tremblay's past leads him to seek access to confidential church documents stored here. The archives hold the secrets that could make or break papal candidates, including financial records and correspondence that reveal the true character of the men vying for the papacy. The ancient repository becomes crucial to uncovering the truth about the cardinals' hidden scandals.
Established in 1612 by Pope Paul V, the Vatican Secret Archives (now called Vatican Apostolic Archives) contain 12 centuries of papal documents. The collection includes diplomatic correspondence, financial records, and sensitive church documents dating back to the 8th century.
Renamed the Vatican Apostolic Archives in 2019, the facility houses over 85 kilometers of shelving with historical documents. Qualified researchers can access most materials, though some remain classified. The archives are not open to general public tours.
Vatican City — Papal security headquarters
The Swiss Guards maintain absolute security around the conclave, ensuring no unauthorized communication enters or leaves the Sistine Chapel. Their commander coordinates with Cardinal Lomeli on security protocols while the guards themselves become unwitting witnesses to the cardinals' private conversations and movements throughout Vatican City during the tense election period.
The Swiss Guard has protected popes since 1506, when Pope Julius II recruited Swiss mercenaries known for their loyalty and military skill. Their barracks, built in the 1960s, house the 135-man force responsible for papal security and Vatican ceremonial duties.
The Swiss Guard continues as the pope's personal security force, famous for their colorful Renaissance uniforms and modern security training. While their barracks aren't open to tours, visitors can see the guards at Vatican entrances and during papal ceremonies.
Vatican City — Vatican administration center
The nerve center of Vatican administration during the papal vacancy, where Cardinal Lomeli coordinates with Vatican officials to ensure the conclave proceeds smoothly. Here, sensitive intelligence about the cardinal candidates is analyzed, and crucial decisions are made about how to handle the explosive revelations that threaten to derail the election process.
Built in 1929 following the Lateran Treaty that established Vatican City as a sovereign state, the Governorate Palace serves as the seat of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State. It houses the administrative offices that govern the world's smallest nation.
The Governorate Palace remains the administrative center of Vatican City State, housing offices for civil governance, security, and infrastructure management. It's not open to public tours, serving purely as a working government building.
Vatican City — The world watches for white smoke
Thousands of faithful gather here throughout the conclave, watching the Sistine Chapel chimney for the telltale white smoke that signals a new pope has been chosen. The square buzzes with international media and pilgrims as Cardinal Lomeli and his colleagues vote behind closed doors. The dramatic conclusion unfolds here when the new pope finally appears on the central balcony to address the world.
Designed by Bernini between 1656-1667, St. Peter's Square was conceived as the 'arms of the church' embracing the faithful. The colonnade consists of 284 columns arranged in four rows, creating an optical illusion that makes them appear as a single row when viewed from the center.
St. Peter's Square hosts papal audiences, major liturgical celebrations, and special events. The square can hold up to 80,000 people and remains the focal point for Catholic pilgrims worldwide. The pope continues to appear at the central balcony for major announcements.
Visit: St. Peter's Square (landmark)
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