Made famous in Italy by Rai and internationally by Netflix, the Anglo-Italian television series Medici tells the story of the rise of the ruling family that governed Florence from the 15th century, promoting artistic, cultural, spiritual, and scientific life in ways the world had never seen before. Inspired by real historical events and figures—though fictionalized to make the narrative more engaging—each of the three seasons focuses on a specific moment in the history of this powerful family, intertwining it with the politics and Renaissance art of Italy at the time. Created by Frank Spotnitz and Nicholas Meyer, the series boasts an outstanding cast including, among others, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Madden, Stuart Martin, Annabel Scholey, Alessandra Mastronardi, Daniel Caltagirone, Alessandro Preziosi, and Brian Cox.
Beyond the plot, what truly captivates viewers are the locations that provide the backdrop to the story. Although the series is set in 15th-century Florence, many scenes were filmed in Lazio—not only to represent Roman and Vatican settings, but also Tuscan and Medici interiors and landscapes. Among the places that helped recreate the atmosphere of the era, Bracciano and its surroundings stand out, chosen as filming locations for their extraordinary historical and scenic authenticity.
For those who would like to relive the most emotional scenes in person, here is a list of the locations in Bracciano and nearby areas where filming took place.
In Bracciano, the plot unfolds both inside and outside the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, one of the most fascinating and majestic Renaissance residences in Europe. Built by the Orsini family in the 15th century—probably with the collaboration of the same craftsmen who were working on the Sistine Chapel—it was purchased in the 17th century by the Odescalchi family, who still own it today. Pentagonal in shape, with three rings of walls and five towers, it dominates the town of Bracciano and its magnificent lake. The castle appears frequently in the series and was used to depict 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, Ferdinand I’s Castle in Naples, and the Fortress of Sarzana. The Orsini-Odescalchi Castle is well known in Italian and international cinema: unforgettable scenes from films such as Il Marchese del Grillo starring Alberto Sordi and Ladyhawke with Michelle Pfeiffer were shot here.
About twenty kilometers from Bracciano lies the Renaissance village of Rota (a hamlet of the municipality of Tolfa), also known as the Castle of Rota due to its original defensive structure. It was used as the encampment of Francesco Sforza’s army and as the site where the mercenary Ferzetti is captured. Rota is also a beloved location in Italian cinema. Among the most famous films shot here are Il sorpasso by Dino Risi and Non ci resta che piangere by Massimo Troisi and Roberto Benigni.
A few more kilometers bring you to the Tyrrhenian coast, where the Castle of Santa Severa stands, one of the most evocative sites in the Lazio region. Located in the hamlet of Santa Severa in the municipality of Santa Marinella, it was built starting in the 14th century on the ruins of the ancient Etruscan port of Pyrgi. Surrounded by three concentric walls enclosing a small village and the remains of an early Christian church, it houses the Museum of the Sea and Ancient Navigation, the Antiquarium of Pyrgi, and the Museum of the Territory. In the series, the exterior of this magnificent castle serves as Cardinal Cossa’s residence (the interior scenes were instead filmed at the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle). It appears on multiple occasions throughout the three seasons.
Moving to the Viterbo area, and specifically to the medieval town of Caprarola, we find another location that left its mark on the series: the 16th-century Palazzo Farnese, one of the most fascinating examples of Renaissance architecture in Europe. Initially designed as a fortress by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger with contributions from Baldassarre Peruzzi, it was later transformed into a sumptuous residence by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. The palace has five floors, dozens of richly frescoed rooms, public and private spaces, and a park with dreamlike gardens. In the series, the monumental palace provides the backdrop for several Vatican scenes and for the signing of the Treaty of Bagnolo, while the Casina del Piacere, an outbuilding of the villa, serves as the set for the Montelupo Estate, where the Medici family take refuge during the plague that strikes Florence.
Finally, numerous scenes were filmed in Viterbo. Shooting took place in the San Pellegrino district, known for its medieval views, against which the Colosseum and parts of the Roman Forum were digitally added; at the Papal Palace, which, as in real history, also serves in the fiction as the Vatican Apostolic Palace; and at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, where the Medici protégé Baldassarre Cossa is crowned pope.
Did you recognize these places in the series Medici?
Experiencing them in person is a whole different story.
Stay in Bracciano and discover castles, villages, and Renaissance scenery just steps from the lake, where history, cinema, and authentic beauty come together.
Photo © TV Sorrisi e Canzoni
