There are many reasons to visit Val d’Orcia: its landscapes, its history and its food specialties make tourists dream during their holiday in Tuscany. Maybe not everyone knows that this is also a perfect destination for cinema addicts! If you want to visit some locations of the most famous Hollywood films, an itinerary of cinema locations in Tuscany is what is right for you.
Many films have been shot in this region and each of them has underlined the beauty of the Tuscan countryside and villages.
Read more to discover which masterpieces have been filmed in Val d'Orcia and start planning your amazing tour!
Surely, one of the most successful films set in Val d'Orcia is Ridley Scott's "The Gladiator". The movie has been released 18 years ago, but it continues to enjoy an incredible success around the world, thanks to its excellent actors and the splendid
landscapes. The first scene shot in Val d'Orcia is the initial one, where two tragic deaths occur in the Gladiator's house. Do you remember the famous image of the hand stroking the wheat? Yes, it s taken from this part of the film! The second scene filmed here is the unforgettable finale, where the protagonist crosses a ripe wheat field to reunite with his family.
These two places can be easily found and visited by those who want to retrace the footsteps of the gladiator! The house is located in San Quirico d’Orcia: along the SP146 road that leads to Pienza, you will find on the left the gate of the Manzuoli farm. That's the entrance for the famous house! Instead, the landscape of the final scene is found in Pienza, at the end of a dirt road that descends from Pieve di Corsignano.
Another Oscar-winning film, "The English Patient" , was shot between Montepulciano and Pienza. The
protagonist, seriously injured, is treated in an abandoned convent near Pienza and stays in
Monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena, which is currently a farmhouse. Most of the shooting
were carried out between Piazza Pio II in Pienza and the streets of Cosona, a fortified complex from the 1400s.
Many scenes from the film "Under the Tuscan Sun" were also shot between Montepulciano and Pienza, although the main location is the village of Cortona, located 30 km from Arezzo. In this movie, the landscape is both the protagonist and the magnificent scenery of the whole story!
Who hasn't seen a movie of the Twilight saga? Did you know that some scenes of "New Moon" were shot in Val d'Orcia? In the film, Edward Cullen decides to go visit the Volturi family in Volterra to end his life, as he believes that Bella is dead. However, "New Moon" was shot in Montepulciano and its Piazza Grande, because this location was more appreciated by the director.
Finally, we cannot forget to mention the great Tuscan director Franco Zeffirelli, who set his films "Romeo and Juliet" and "Brother sun sister moon" here. Walking along the main road of Pienza, you will plunge into the scenes of these famous films, imagining Juliet dancing in the courtyard of Palazzo Piccolomini and Mercuzio crossing Piazza del Duomo with Romeo. Instead, going to the Abbey of Sant’Antimo you will get immersed in one of the enchanting scenes of the film about Saint Francis
Are you ready to organize your itinerary to discover the locations of the best Hollywood movies? Book one of our properties in Val d'Orcia, like Villa San Michele and Casale Santa Francesca!
© Alice Pilastri
