Cinematic Tuscany: Following in the Footsteps of Hollywood & Co
Tuscany boasts countless picturesque locations that have served as backdrops for famous films. Bernardo Bertolucci’s Stealing Beauty, for instance, showcases the stunning landscapes of Chianti, while San Gimignano, with its medieval towers, has inspired numerous historical films.
Many of these places can be explored on your own, or you can search online for organized tours. Here are some of the most famous filming locations, some of which are not far at all from Montaione.
Castelfalfi – Pinocchio
Truly just around the corner from Montaione, at Castelfalfi, in 2002 Roberto Benigni created a film about an (inter)national icon: the little wooden marionette Pinocchio.
There is even a YouTube video about the site La "Casa di Pinocchio" nella Tenuta di Castelfalfi (FI) - www.HTO.tv
San Miniato – The Silk Road
The historic town of San Miniato was the filming location for The Silk Road, a movie about silk farming in the 19th century. Its winding alleys and medieval tower give the film an authentic atmosphere.
Lucca – Portrait of a Lady
Jane Campion’s Portrait of a Lady, starring Nicole Kidman, was partly filmed in Lucca, for instance in the Palazzo Pfanner.
The city’s elegant architecture enhances the atmospheric depth of this literary adaptation. Other scenes were taken in Florence.
Florence, where Renaissance meets cinema in numerous films
Florence is a paradise for film lovers.
Inferno, starring Tom Hanks, reveals the secrets of Palazzo Vecchio and the Boboli Gardens, while Hannibal follows Dr. Lecter as he strolls through its elegant streets.
The classic A Room with a View, directed by James Ivory, was also filmed in Florence. T
he city itself, with its romantic charm, is the real star: Piazza della Signoria and the Basilica of Santa Croce add a unique emotional depth. The exterior scenes were shot at the Pensione Quisisana, now the Hotel degli Orafi, overlooking Via dei Girolami. The interior scenes were filmed at Villa di Maiano on Via del Salviatino 1, Maiano in Fiesole.
Livorno – The Last Kiss
The film The Last Kiss (L'ultimo bacio) captures the maritime beauty of Livorno.
With its picturesque Terrazza Mascagni and old canals, the city provides a perfect backdrop for this emotional story.
Populonia, Baratti, Suvereto, Palaia
– Napoleon and Me
Although "Napoleon and Me" is set on the island of Elba, it was actually filmed in other Tuscan locations, such as Populonia, Baratti Beach, Suvereto, Palaia, and more.
San Galgano – Nostalghia
The striking ruins of the legendary Abbey of San Galgano, with its open sky, create a magical setting—no wonder they have been used as a backdrop for several films.
The location is particularly stunning in Andrei Tarkovsky's Nostalghia, which masterfully captures its melancholic ambiance.
Siena – Quantum of Solace
Siena’s famous central Piazza del Campo, the scene of the famous Palio horse race, became the action-packed backdrop for a thrilling chase in Quantum of Solace. James Bond chases one of his adversaries here. But even without a gripping pursuit, Siena’s medieval architecture is a highlight in itself.
Montepulciano - Twilight: New Moon
Fans of Twilight: New Moon will surely remember the dramatic scene in which Bella runs across a piazza filled with people in red cloaks. Contrary to the storyline, this is not Volterra but the stunning Montepulciano. The Palazzo Comunale served as the headquarters of the Volturi.
Pienza, Val d’Orcia – Gladiator
In the Val d’Orcia, near San Quirico d’Orcia, lies a scenic cypress-lined road featured in one of the most emotional scenes in Gladiator.
Today the spot where Maximus envisions his return home is called Gladiator Point—a breathtaking landscape for an epic film.
Villa Vignamaggio, Greve in Chianti
- Much Ado About Nothing
Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing was filmed at the magnificent Villa Vignamaggio near Greve in Chianti. This splendid Renaissance villa and its gardens perfectly complement the lighthearted Shakespearean comedy.
Sant’Anna in Camprena Monastery
– The English Patient
Nestled among rolling hills near Pienza, the former Benedictine monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena was used for some of the most beautiful scenes in The English Patient.
Its peaceful charm makes it a must-visit for both film lovers and those seeking tranquility.
Arezzo – Life is Beautiful
The Piazza Grande in Arezzo is inextricably linked to Roberto Benigni’s masterpiece Life is Beautiful. The film captures both the beauty of the city and its tragic history, making it a moving filming location.
Piazza Grande, the steps of the Cathedral of Saints Donatus and Peter, the Basilica of San Francesco, and Caffè dei Costanti are some of the featured spots. The bookstore owned by the protagonist actually exists—it’s called Cartolibreria Orefice, the same surname as Benigni’s character in the film. The street where Guido (Benigni) is mistaken for King Victor Emmanuel III, based on the brakes of the car he is riding in, is in Castiglion Fiorentino (AR).
Lucignano, Arezzo – Certified Copy
Abbas Kiarostami’s Certified Copy was filmed in Lucignano and Arezzo. The film also showcases Tuscany’s famous cypress-lined roads and hidden gems of the region.