Standing on the Ponte Sant'Angelo, after reading In the Name of the Family, transports you directly into the heart of Renaissance Rome, a city of immense power, artistry, and moral ambiguity. The bridge, adorned with Bernini’s dramatic angels, becomes more than just a beautiful crossing. It's a stage where the opulence and corruption of the Borgia papacy played out. Knowing their story, you can almost feel the weight of history and intrigue pressing down as you gaze at Castel Sant'Angelo, the imposing fortress that served as both sanctuary and prison. The sheer grandeur of the setting, the Tiber flowing darkly beneath, echoes the novel's exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the complex interplay between the sacred and the profane. The beauty surrounding you belies the ruthless machinations that unfolded within its walls, leaving you contemplating the price of power and the enduring legacy of a family consumed by it.