Welcome to a journey of discovery through Bracciano and its surroundings, seen through the lens of cinema and television. This corner of Lazio, dominated by the magnificent Orsini-Odescalchi Castle and enhanced by the crystal-clear waters of the lake, has been captivating Italian and international directors for decades. From major historical productions to popular contemporary TV series, the medieval villages and landscapes of the area have been transformed into film sets time and again.
For those staying here, recognising a square, a building or a familiar view during a walk can be a curious way to see with different eyes places that are part of the local area.
Here are some of the films and TV series filmed in Bracciano and the surrounding area.
Once Upon a Time (1967)
Directed by Francesco Rosi, this film is a romantic fairy tale inspired by various stories from Giovan Battista Basile’s Pentamerone, also known as Lo cunto de li cunti. It tells the troubled love story between Isabella (Sophia Loren), a young Neapolitan commoner, and Prince Rodrigo (Omar Sharif). Amid misunderstandings, spells and challenges to overcome, the two eventually fall in love. Bracciano was chosen as a location for several scenes. The Orsini-Odescalchi Castle was used for some exterior shots of the prince’s residence, while Piazza Mazzini and Largo della Cattedrale provided the backdrop for scenes depicting everyday life among the local population. In the surrounding area, filming also took place in the village of Rota, a hamlet of the municipality of Tolfa, and at the Monte Gelato Waterfalls in Mazzano Romano.
The Marquis of Grillo (1981)
A masterpiece of Italian comedy directed by Mario Monicelli, the film follows the hilarious exploits of Marquis Onofrio del Grillo (Alberto Sordi), a mischievous nobleman in early nineteenth-century papal Rome who spends his days playing pranks on aristocrats, commoners and even the Pope. Some of the film’s most memorable scenes were shot around Bracciano. Among the ruins of Ancient Monterano, the hideout of the bandit Don Bastiano was recreated; in a farmhouse on Via delle Pietrische in Manziana, the marquis asks for information about Olimpia; and on the shores of Lake Vico, in the municipality of Ronciglione, the retreat of the French army was filmed. The film won four Nastro d’Argento awards and two David di Donatello awards, as well as receiving a prize at the Berlin Film Festival.
Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1984)
Written, directed and starring Massimo Troisi and Roberto Benigni, this cult film tells the extraordinary time-travel adventure of primary school teacher Saverio and school caretaker Mario. Mysteriously transported back to 1492, the two set off for Palos in Spain, hoping to stop Christopher Columbus from discovering the Americas. Although the story is set in Tuscany, much of the film was shot in Lazio. In the opening scene, when Saverio reaches Mario, the exterior of Bracciano Hospital can be seen. In the surrounding area, the historic checkpoint where travellers have to pay “one florin” was recreated at Rota Castle, while Capranica Scalo railway station is home to the level crossing where the two protagonists wait for the train.
Commissioner Manara (2009–2011)
From cinema to television, this Rai series follows the investigations of the unconventional and charming Commissioner Luca Manara (Guido Caprino). Together with Inspector Lara Rubino (Roberta Giarrusso), with whom he has an ongoing game of attraction and conflict, the protagonist solves a series of intricate murder cases. The story is set in a fictional location in the Maremma region, between Orbetello and the Argentario promontory, but the first season was actually filmed in the towns overlooking Lake Bracciano: Bracciano, Trevignano Romano and Anguillara Sabazia. In particular, the Town Hall of Trevignano Romano was used for the exterior shots of the police station headed by Manara.
Medici (2016–2019)
Brought to success in Italy by Rai and to audiences around the world by Netflix, Medici traces the history of the powerful Florentine family that, from the fifteenth century onwards, ruled the city and left a profound mark on art, culture, spirituality and scientific research. Although the series is set in fifteenth-century Florence, many scenes were filmed in Lazio. In Bracciano, the story unfolds both inside and outside the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, which was used to recreate the residences of Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici, Alessandro Bardi, Andrea de’ Pazzi and Cardinal Cossa, as well as Bruno’s inn, the Medici Bank, the castle of Ferdinand I in Naples and the Fortress of Sarzana. In the surrounding area, the village of Rota, Santa Severa Castle and Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola complete the set.
SKAM Italia (2018–2024)
A remake of the Norwegian series of the same name, SKAM Italia is one of the most popular Italian series among younger audiences. It follows a group of Roman students through friendships, relationships, challenges and moments of personal growth. Each season focuses on a different character, exploring themes connected to teenage life and relationships with friends, family and school. Set in the heart of the capital, much of the series takes place in Trastevere, although some key moments take the story beyond Rome. On the shores of Lake Bracciano is the home of Giovanni’s family, one of the main characters, where his friends meet several times throughout the seasons; the lake shores also appear in other sequences, with the characters walking or relaxing by the water.
William Tell (2024)
Bringing this journey to a close is William Tell, a film written and directed by British filmmaker Nick Hamm and based on Friedrich Schiller’s play of the same name. The story unfolds in fourteenth-century Europe and tells of William Tell’s rebellion against Habsburg rule. Known for his skill with a crossbow, the protagonist becomes involved in the struggle against Habsburg power and gradually becomes a symbol of the Swiss people’s resistance. Once again, the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano was chosen for several scenes. In particular, the inner courtyard and the magnificent Hall of the Caesars provided the setting for sequences taking place at the imperial court of Leopold I of Habsburg.
Discover Bracciano and the surrounding area through film and television
For those who want to go in search of film scenes and locations, Albergo della Posta is an excellent starting point. We are located in the historic centre of Bracciano, just 100 metres from the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle and close to all the locations mentioned above.
Photo © Mymovies
