Finding every single one of the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle photograph inscriptions is honestly a bit of a headache if you don't know where the game is trying to lead you. You’re running around the Vatican, dodging Blackshirts, and trying to act like you belong there, all while squinting at stone walls. It’s classic Indy.
MachineGames didn't make this a simple "point and click" affair. You actually have to engage with the environment, climb some sketchy scaffolding, and occasionally double-back after the story progresses. If you’re stuck at 9/10 or can’t even find the first four to satisfy Antonio, you aren't alone. This guide is basically the notebook Indy should have kept for himself.
Getting the Camera and Starting the Hunt
Before you can even think about those inscriptions, you need the gear. You can’t just use "archeologist intuition" to record these. You have to visit Ernesto at the Vatican Post Office.
He’ll sell you the camera for 379 lire. If you’re broke, go smash some padlocked boxes around the city; they usually have at least 100 lire inside. Once you have the camera, you’re officially on the "The Secret of Giants" fieldwork quest. Father Antonio wants photographic proof of Father Crescenzo’s claims, and that means finding ten specific shield-shaped seals scattered across the Vatican.
The first four are mandatory to move the main plot forward. After that, the hunt becomes a side quest that leads to a pretty nice reward (and a shiny achievement called "Path of Junia").
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The First Four: Vatican Essentials
You've got the camera. Now what? Most people miss these because they’re looking for big, glowing icons. Nope. Look for small, stone, shield-shaped markers, usually near water or old architecture.
1. The Museum Garden (Via di Belvedere)
Exit the post office and head toward the "Mvsei Vaticani" gate. Go all the way to the back of the garden, past the guys painting. There’s a stone well/fountain on the right near some scaffolding. The inscription is right there. Pro tip: while you're here, climb that scaffolding and snap a photo of the brown cat for some easy Adventure Points.
2. The Belvedere Courtyard Fountain
Go back to the main courtyard with the giant fountain (the one near the military vehicles). The second inscription is on the right side of the fountain. Just be careful—there are fascists everywhere here. If you get too close to the officers, they’ll see through your "tourist" act real quick.
3. Behind the Propaganda Stage
At the back of the Belvedere Courtyard, there’s a massive Mussolini poster and a half-finished stage. Walk behind the stage. You’ll see scaffolding. Climb it to reach a high balcony. The third inscription is tucked into a corner on the right side of this balcony.
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4. The Borgia Courtyards Rooftop
From the third inscription, don’t go back down. Instead, use your whip to climb even higher from the scaffolding onto the roof. Follow the ledge to the right, and you’ll find the fourth inscription. Taking this photo usually triggers the prompt to return to Antonio.
Finding the Remaining Six Inscriptions
Once you’ve turned in the first batch, the game opens up. But a few of these are locked behind story progression. You can't just run and grab them all in one go.
- The Sewers: You’ll need the Sewer Key from Antonio (after talking to Sister Catherine). The inscription is inside a large cistern. You’ll have to whip-swing across some hanging pipes to reach the ledge where it’s hidden.
- The Excavation Yard: This one is in the northwest corner of the dig site near the Apostolic Palace. Stay low; the guards patrol the upper walkways.
- The Cellar: You’ll need the Cellar Key for this. It’s often found during the "A Savage Discovery" segment.
- The Museum Wing: This is a big one. Warning: Some players have reported a bug where you can't re-enter the museum after the mission. Make sure you grab this one while you’re following Gina through the museum. It's upstairs.
- The Fountain of Confession: Head to the western side of the map. It’s near the boxing ring area. Go up the stairs east of the main fountain to find a smaller one with the seal.
- The Hidden Alcove: This is usually the 9th or 10th one people find. It’s off the southern road behind some wooden double doors. You’ll have to rappel down into a lower area guarded by Blackshirts.
Why Your Photos Might Not Be Counting
It’s frustrating. You take the picture, Indy says nothing, and the quest log doesn't update.
The camera mechanic in The Great Circle is picky about framing. You need the entire design within the shot. If Indy mutters something about a "better angle," zoom in or out. Also, check your settings. If you’re struggling to find the physical locations, turn on "Objective Location Markers" under the Adventure Experience tab in the options. It feels a bit like cheating, but hey, even Indy had a map.
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There’s also a known glitch involving the "Sunan" photo in later chapters or the "Jesus Mural" in the Vatican. If your counter is stuck at 99%, try going back to the Tower of Nicholas V. Sometimes taking a second photo of a main quest puzzle (like the mural with the five levers) can "force" the game to recognize your total count for the Archivist achievement.
The Payoff: What’s the Point?
Is it worth the 379 lire and the risk of getting punched by a Nazi officer? Honestly, yeah.
Completing the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle photograph inscriptions quest line gives you a massive chunk of Adventure Points. You need those to buy abilities from the Adventure Books. More importantly, Antonio gives you an ancient relic once all 10 are displayed on his board. If you're a completionist, this is the meat of the Vatican gameplay.
Stop running past the fountains. Slow down, look for the shield symbols, and keep your camera ready. If you've missed the Museum Wing inscription and already finished that mission, try reloading a previous save or checking if a recent patch fixed the door—otherwise, you might be looking at a second playthrough for that Platinum trophy.
The next thing you should do is head to the Belvedere Courtyard and check behind that Mussolini stage; most players walk right past the scaffolding that leads to the best vantage points in the city.