In the shadowy halls of Castel Sant’Angelo, a pair of mysterious bull paintings guard more than just the secrets of the Vatican. The “Bulls of Blood” puzzle in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle challenges players to decipher cryptic clues and manipulate artwork, unveiling a hidden passage that could change the course of Indy’s adventure. Can you spot the clues and unlock the mystery before the fascists close in?
How to start ’Bulls of Blood’
To start the “Bulls of Blood” puzzle in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, make your way through Castel Sant’Angelo until you reach the Courtyard of the Angel, shortly before meeting Father Antonio. Look for the first door on your right as you enter the courtyard; inside, you’ll find Russo’s Note on a desk, which hints at a hidden passage near the fireplace and officially adds the “Bulls of Blood” mystery to your journal. This room is guarded, so proceed carefully. Once you have the note, check the nearby desk for additional clues, including the Angel Courtyard Map and the Red Bulls Card-these items are key to solving the puzzle. With these clues in hand, you’re ready to approach the puzzle area and begin solving the mystery.
On your way to meet Father Antonio at the village steps, you’ll have to make your way through the Castel Sant’Angelo fortress. After a bit of sneaking, a lot of punching fascists, and some climbing, you’ll complete the “reach the top of the castello” objective and start a new one, “get to Passetto di Borgo.”
Shortly after, you’ll find yourself in the Courtyard of the Angel. After you deal with the patrolling Blackshirts, head to the first door on the right.
Inside, you’ll Russo’s Note on the desk. It mentions “the passage” next to a fireplace and will add the ’Bulls of Blood’ mystery to your journal.
’Bulls of Blood’ puzzle solution
To solve the ’Bulls of Blood’ puzzle in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, head to the Castel Sant’Angelo area and locate the room near the fireplace, where you’ll find two bull paintings on the wall. The solution involves rotating each painting so that the red or dark-colored bulls are positioned on top, facing each other, exactly as depicted on the Red Bulls Card you find on the nearby desk. Once both paintings are aligned correctly, a secret passage will open between them, granting you access to hidden rewards, including Cesare Borgia’s Letter, Adventure Points, and in-game currency, while also providing a shortcut for your main quest progression.
From where you picked up the note (facing away from the fireplace), head north and through the hallway on the right side of the room.
Head straight through the next room – there’s nothing to find there – and you’ll be at the puzzle. Look at the desk on the right for some clues.
You’ll find an Angel Courtyard Map (spoiler: it points you to exactly where you’re standing), and a Red Bulls Card (which is your hint to solving the puzzle) along with some lira.
From that desk, look to your right to find the “Bulls of Blood” puzzle. The two bull paintings on the wall are what you have to interact with. The Red Bulls Card shows the two red bulls facing each other, so interact with each painting and rotate them until the red bulls are on top.
Step into the secret passage to find Cesare Borgia’s Letter. Head up the stairs and throw the switch on the wall to open a gate and earn your 100 Adventure Points.
There’s a chest ahead of you with some more lira inside. To the left, you’ll find another switch that opens another gate that returns you to the main path.
For more Indiana Jones and the Great Circle guides, here’s a running list of safe codes. We also have solutions for many puzzles in the Vatican, including the Belvedere Courtyard, Sacred Wounds, Fountain of Confession, “Secret of Secrets,” “Father and Son,” “A Date to Remember,” “House of God,” and “A Free Spirit,” plus guides to Strange Inscription and Vatican Ancient Relic locations.
How can I unlock the secret vault in the ‘Bulls of Blood’ puzzle
How to Unlock the Secret Vault in the ‘Bulls of Blood’ Puzzle
To unlock the secret vault in the “Bulls of Blood” puzzle in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, follow these steps:
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Locate the two bull paintings on either side of a suspicious wall near the fireplace in the Castel Sant’Angelo area.
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Interact with each painting and rotate them so that the red (or brown) bulls are both on top and facing each other, matching the orientation shown on the Red Bulls Card you find nearby.
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Once both paintings are correctly aligned, a hidden passage will open between them, revealing the secret vault.
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Inside, you’ll find Cesare Borgia’s Letter and additional rewards, completing the puzzle and granting access to the next area.
The key is to ensure the red bulls are upright and facing each other-this triggers the mechanism that opens the secret vault.
What is the significance of the red bulls in unlocking the vault
The red bulls in the “Bulls of Blood” puzzle are the crucial visual clue for unlocking the vault. Their significance lies in their orientation: you must rotate the bull paintings so that the red bulls are both on top and facing each other, matching the depiction on the Red Bulls Card found nearby. This specific arrangement triggers the mechanism that opens the secret vault, making the red bulls the key to solving the puzzle and gaining access to the hidden chamber.
