>Does one need to read Dante's Inferno to figure out how to
>change circles, or is that something that can be figured out
>entirely from the area?

I would say it's helpful but not necessary. The cliff notes / wikipedia summary / etc. of Inferno is really enough. I personally found it helpful to know what each circle is generally about; similarly, if Dante's narrator's transition from one circle to another involves some mythical creature, yours may also.

>How do I get in? :P Where is it?

I believe these are addressed in my own idiom in the area's helpfile...

>How much observation exp
>for legendary awareness,

Lots. :)

>and is it as cool as I think it is?

Probably not. Think more "I am aware of legendary things" and less "My head is on a swivel and my awareness of things around me is legendary."