If you’re hunting for the authentic, unfiltered soul of Italy, the places that feel like a movie set because they truly are, you need to set your sights on Abruzzo.
This region, stretching from towering Apennine peaks to the Adriatic coastline, has secretly served as the dramatic, versatile backdrop for everything from cult classics and sweeping international dramas to modern TV hits.
With over 40 films shot here, Abruzzo is an open-air studio, capable of creating atmosphere, dreams, and nostalgia.
For those drawn to off-the-beaten-path travel, epic landscapes, and the thrill of cinematic discovery, Abruzzo isn’t just a destination, it’s a movie marathon.
Hollywood Magic and International Blockbusters
The sheer scale and medieval authenticity of Abruzzo’s mountains and castles have made it a go-to location for major productions looking for truly dramatic, unspoiled scenery from medieval Europe to the American Wild West.
1. Ladyhawke (1985) & The Name of the Rose (1986)
Two of the most iconic fantasy and medieval adventure films owe their look to the Abruzzese landscape.
The Scene-Stealer: Rocca Calascio, a majestic fortress perched nearly 5,000 feet high on the Gran Sasso massif, became the unforgettable hermit’s dwelling in Ladyhawke (starring Michelle Pfeiffer). The very next year, its distant silhouette and the surrounding Campo Imperatore plateau featured in The Name of the Rose with Sean Connery.
Did You Know? The octagonal shape of the library was inspired by Castel del Monte, in Italy’s Apulian region, whose unique design influenced the set of The Name of the Rose.
2. The American (2010)
George Clooney brought international attention to Abruzzo with this stylish, tense thriller.
The Locations: Clooney’s character hides among the quiet mountain towns of Castel del Monte, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Calascio, and Sulmona, the city of confetti (sugar-coated almonds). This elegant city is a beloved stop on our tours, which means many of our travelers walk the very same streets where the action unfolded!
The Mood: The film is almost a love letter to Abruzzo beautiful, solitary, and mysterious. It captures the authentic, secluded feel of the mountains that our guests come seeking.
3. Epics, Fantasy & Advertising Shoots
Abruzzo’s landscapes have stood in for ancient kingdoms and mythic territories:
- Yado (Red Sonja) (1985): Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fantasy epic used the rugged terrain of Alba Fucens and the mountains around L’Aquila
- King David (1985): Richard Gere wandered the biblical landscapes of Campo Imperatore
- The New Pope (2019): Paolo Sorrentino’s acclaimed series used the region’s monasteries and mountain views for its spiritual, cinematic atmosphere
Fun Fact: Campo Imperatore has long been a favorite location for major advertising campaigns from a young, pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio’s 1980s telecommunications commercial to productions for leading automotive and fashion brands, reflecting its versatility across diverse commercial fields.
Italian Cult Classics and National Treasures
For Italian audiences, Abruzzo provides the settings for some of the country’s most beloved films, stories that capture community, humor, and heart.
1. The Trinity Western and the Taste of the Wild
They Call Me Trinity (Lo chiamavano Trinità…) (1970) & Trinity Is Still My Name (1971): The iconic Spaghetti Western comedies used the vast, desolate plains of Campo Imperatore, the “Little Tibet” of Italy, to perfectly replicate the American frontier, starring Bud Spencer and Terence Hill.
The Culinary Link: This location is now famous not just for cinema, but for the Ristoro Mucciante, a legendary local spot that appears in the films! It’s renowned as the essential place to grill the Abruzzo delicacy, arrosticini, small cubes of sheep meat skewered and cooked over an open fire. In fact, this site was recently visited by the acclaimed Stanley Tucci, proving its status as both a cinematic and a culinary landmark.
2. Riccardo Milani’s “Abruzzo Trilogy”
Director Riccardo Milani often returns to Abruzzo to tell stories of resilience, humor, and belonging.
- Un mondo a parte (A Separate World) (2024): A recent box-office hit set in the villages of Pescasseroli, Opi, and Villetta Barrea, heartfelt portraits of modern mountain life. When visiting these areas, it’s not unusual to see deer or charming roe deer wandering through the village streets, confirming the region’s wild, separate nature.
- Il posto dell’anima (The Soul’s Place) (2003): This poignant drama showcases the Adriatic Coast around Vasto, my beloved hometown and starting point for our tours in Abruzzo, with its famous Trabocchi, and the mountains of the Majella National Park
- La guerra degli Antò (The War of the Antòs) (1999): A cult snapshot of 90s youth filmed along Pescara and Montesilvano
Abruzzo at the Table: Cinema, Flavors, and Pleasure
Abruzzo’s cinematic success is inextricably linked to its gastronomic richness. Film productions didn’t just film here; they lived the territory, discovering its authentic flavors.
The region offers a substantial selection of culinary excellence, making the cinetourism experience complete. The local food scene is so rich that it attracts everyone from Hollywood stars to documentary crews seeking authentic Italian life.
After admiring the enchanted castles and the wild nature of the Parks, filmmakers and stars have always found here an oasis of flavors, proving that Abruzzo is an experience that involves all the senses.
Abruzzo’s untamed environment is its greatest asset. The region has not only hosted filmmakers but inspired them, becoming a character in its own right a wild, beautiful, and deeply human heart of Italy.
The most exciting part? Many of the stunning locations mentioned from the dizzying heights of Rocca Calascio and the vast plains of Campo Imperatore to the charming, winding streets of Castel del Monte and the historic seaside of Vasto are integral stops on our Italia Sweet Italia tours. When you travel with us, you are truly stepping onto the set!
When we discuss the magic of Italian cinema on our tours, the conversation inevitably turns to international hits like Under the Tuscan Sun, which perfectly captured the romantic fantasy of relocating to Italy.
I always tell our guests: I’m waiting for the next international blockbuster to come out of our region with a title like “Under the Abruzzo Moon.”
And, unlike the handsome Raul Bova as the lead, our Abruzzo star would be far more authentic and fun!
I picture our dear friend Rinaldo, the keeper of one of the most famous trabocchi (coastal fishing machines). He’d be the one charming the heroine with his gorgeous looks, deep sea knowledge, and a platter of freshly grilled fish, proving that true Italian romance is found not under the Tuscan sun, but right here, under the Abruzzo moon, with a true local hero :-). And it’s no coincidence that his trabocco even made it onto NASA’s website, thanks to a stunning photo capturing him as he “fished” for an extraordinary red moon.
It’s time to move beyond the tourist traps and discover the dramatic, film-ready landscapes that are authentic, inspiring, and, most importantly, still waiting for their close-up.
If these stories have inspired you to discover the genuine landscapes and authentic culture that shaped these incredible films, visit our website to discover our exclusive tours.
We specialize in crafting journeys that take you deep into the heart of regions like Abruzzo, far from the crowds, so you can experience a truly unforgettable Italian adventure!
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