Unlocking the “Secret of Secrets” Safe in Indiana Jones & The Great Circle

When journeying through the Vatican in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, players may encounter a combination safe that presents a challenging mystery. This safe is strategically positioned just beyond the initial area open for exploration, not far from Antonio’s office. Uncovering this safe initiates the quest titled “Secret of Secrets.”Your objective is to discover its combination and unlock it to retrieve an elusive medieval manuscript known as the “Secretum Secretorum.”

While many gaming titles feature straightforward side quests similar in structure, this one takes a unique twist befitting the Indiana Jones franchise. Although this side quest, or as the game calls it, Optional Mystery, appears to center on a singular treasure within a limited space, it is far more complex than it seems. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to access the chest hidden in the Vatican.

Locating the “Secret of Secrets”Safe

Acquiring the Clerical Key & Accessing the Sistine Chapel Safe

An open safe sitting next to a statue of Saint Peter in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Shortly after arriving at the Vatican and completing your meeting with Father Antonio, you will find yourself in a position to explore more freely. However, you may notice that many doors inside the Chapel remain locked, which prompts the need for the Clerical Key. Acquiring this key involves a series of actions within “The Stolen Cat Mummy”quest.

To progress, head into the room past the maintenance worker and utilize the Giant’s medallion on a wall indentation to access a hidden passage. Navigate through this passage, swimming underwater until you reach a gate. Once you allow Antonio to join you, make sure to collect the Ancient Relic on the table before proceeding.

Having other responsibilities, Antonio entrusts you with his Clerical Key, facilitating your private exploration of the Sistine Chapel. Return to the library and unlock the back door adorned with stained-glass windows, where you will find the safe resting on a table beside a statue of a saint. To officially begin the quest, ensure you collect Nicoletti’s Letter from the desk located behind the safe.

Decoding the Sistine Chapel Safe Puzzle

Interpreting Nicoletti’s Letter & Examining the Saint Statues

Upon locating Nicoletti’s letter, you’ll gain insight into the contents of the safe. However, it is essential to focus on the last paragraph. It mentions, “If you’ve forgotten the combination again, look to the stars and the saints: Peter with the key, then Paul with the sword.”Though cryptic, this hints that a careful examination of the statues in the room will unveil the safe’s combination.

First, direct your attention to the statue of Saint Peter, located in the far corner. The key he holds serves as a definitive identifier. Upon lifting the statue, the screen confirms, “Saint Peter.”Rotate the statue until you view its base, where you will observe two white symbols: circles with arrows. Historically, this design represents Mars — a crucial clue.

Next, return to the safe’s table to find the statue of Saint Paul, who is depicted holding a sword. Flipping this statue, you’ll identify two new symbols: one mirrors the Mars symbol but embellished with a dot, while the other resembles a cross emerging from a circle combined with an arch, resembling horns. The first connects to Uranus, while the latter signifies Mercury.

Decoding the Planetary Chart to Determine the Safe’s Code

Indy looking at a planetary chart with various symbols and numbers on it in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

If your knowledge of astronomy is up to par, you may have already deduced the solution to this puzzle. However, for those who are unsure, head back to the desk where you discovered Nicoletti’s note and examine the drawer to find a Planetary Chart. This document will help correlate the symbols observed earlier, allowing for a determination of the combination.

The chart, which notably excludes Pluto (a planet as of 1937), becomes key to our puzzle. An important hurdle arises, as the symbol corresponding to the number four is absent from this chart. Nevertheless, deductive reasoning and awareness of planetary arrangement inform us that, since Mars is the fourth from the sun, the Mars symbol can logically signify the number 4.

Utilizing the data from the bases of Saint Peter and Saint Paul and referencing the chart, we’ve established that the combination to the Sistine Chapel safe is 4471.

Inputting this code into the safe’s dials will successfully unlock it. However, players will be disheartened to discover that the anticipated document is merely a forgery. Fortunately, the safe also hides a skill book, Cutman I, which grants Indy an enhancement in HP regeneration for 250 Action Points. Thus, unraveling this mystery in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle proves worthwhile after all.

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