{"id":66532,"date":"2026-07-27T12:50:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T10:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=66532"},"modified":"2026-07-27T12:50:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T10:50:07","slug":"cinema-val-dorcia-tour-tuscanys-film-locations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/cinema-val-dorcia-tour-tuscanys-film-locations\/","title":{"rendered":"Cinema in Val d\u2019Orcia: a tour of Tuscany\u2019s most iconic film locations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Beside being one of Italy\u2019s most famous and evocative UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Val d\u2019Orcia<\/strong><\/a> is a natural setting that has captivated film directors from all over the world. Gentle hills, cypress-lined avenues and medieval villages steeped in history and frozen in time. This corner of Tuscany is the backdrop for some of the most iconic scenes in the history of cinema. From The English Patient<\/em> to Gladiator<\/em>, from Romeo and Juliet<\/em> to Twilight<\/em>: the cinema in Val d\u2019Orcia<\/strong> has created unforgettable moments. If you\u2019re passionate about film tourism<\/strong>, in this article you\u2019ll find the perfect itinerary for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monastery that fascinated Hollywood: Sant\u2019Anna in Camprena and The English Patient<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Monastery
Monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena, Photo via Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Few places in the world evoke melancholy and beauty with the same intensity as the Monastery of Sant\u2019Anna in Camprena<\/strong>, just a few kilometres from Pienza<\/strong>. Anthony Minghella set here the most moving scenes of his masterpiece, The English Patient<\/em> (1996), winner of nine Oscars. With its medieval cloister, chapel and imposing bell tower, it is one of the most iconic film locations in the Val d\u2019Orcia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monastery was chosen to represent the convent where the nurse Hana cares for the mysterious Count Alm\u00e1sy. Filming took place both inside and outside the building, which has now been converted into a farmhouse. Visitors to the monastery will immediately recognise the large pool in the garden, which appeared several times on screen. The complex is still open to visitors today and offers accommodation in a setting of great historical and scenic value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renaissance glimpses in Pienza: from Romeo and Juliet<\/em> to I Medici<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pienza
Pienza Cathedral, Photo via Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pienza<\/em> is one of Tuscany\u2019s gems and one of the most photogenic spots in the Val d\u2019Orcia. The \u2018ideal city\u2019 envisaged by Pope Pius II, with its harmonious Renaissance architecture<\/strong>, has been chosen as a film set on numerous occasions. It has become one of the Val d\u2019Orcia\u2019s favourite locations for filmmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1967, Franco Zeffirelli chose Pienza as the setting for Romeo and Juliet<\/strong><\/em> (1968). The scenes were filmed in unforgettable locations, such as Palazzo Piccolomini and the central square. Decades later, Palazzo Piccolomini featured again in the filming of the TV series I Medici<\/strong><\/em>. Its fa\u00e7ade stood in for the Palazzo Medici in Florence, and its Renaissance courtyard hosted scenes featuring the powerful Florentine family. Montepulciano\u2019s Piazza Grande also played a prominent role, serving as a stand-in for Florence\u2019s Piazza della Signoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the footsteps of Gladiator<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Landscape
Poggio Manzuoli, Photo via Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt my signal, unleash hell.\u201d Russell Crowe\u2019s voice still echoes through these countryside landscapes. Ridley Scott\u2019s Gladiator<\/strong><\/em> (2000) transformed the Val d\u2019Orcia into the setting for two of the most thrilling sequences in the history of epic cinema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first is the opening scene: Maximus Decimus Meridius’ house is located at Podere di Poggio Manzuoli<\/em>, in San Quirico d\u2019Orcia.<\/a> A rural farmhouse nestled in a valley that seems to have remained unchanged for centuries. Here, the line between reality and legend becomes incredibly thin. The villa is clearly visible as you drive along the scenic road famous for its avenue of cypress trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second is the final sequence set in the Elysian Fields. A landscape suspended between dream and death where Maximus walks amongst the poppies for the last time. Filming took place near Terrapille<\/strong>, about three kilometres south of Pienza<\/strong>. Simply park near the Pieve dei Santi Vito e Modesto in Corsignano and walk along the narrow dirt track to find yourself literally inside the film. These are places that demonstrate how cinema inVal d\u2019Orcia has managed to transform a real landscape into a universal myth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vampires in Montepulciano \u2013 Twilight: New Moon<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"View
Montepulciano, Photo via Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who would ever have imagined that the Volturi vampires would find their home in Tuscany? And yet that is exactly what happened. In 2009, director Chris Weitz chose Montepulciano<\/strong> as the location for scenes in The Twilight Saga: New Moon<\/strong><\/em>, the second instalment of Stephenie Meyer\u2019s famous saga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the original novel, the Volturi\u2019s city is Volterra. But for the film shoot, the production team opted for the historic centre of Montepulciano<\/a><\/strong>, with its medieval alleyways and Renaissance palaces. It is here that Bella runs desperately through the crowd to reach Edward before he is exposed to sunlight in front of the Volturi. Even today, fans from all over the world flock to Montepulciano to relive those moments, and the local tourist office offers dedicated tours<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cypress trees, hills and Dolce Vita: Monticchiello and Under the Tuscan Sun<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cypress-lined
Cypress-lined road leading to Monticchiello, Photo via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The protagonist of Under the Tuscan Sun<\/strong><\/em> (2003) is an American writer who, following a personal crisis, buys a villa in Tuscany and starts life afresh. The filming took place mainly in Cortona (Arezzo). But the famous cypress-lined paths in Monticchiello<\/strong> feature in the film\u2019s most iconic and recognisable scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panoramic views of the Val d\u2019Orcia with the Crete Senesi and the rows of trees create an atmosphere of suspended enchantment. Monticchiello is an authentic place, where time seems to be frozen. It is precisely this medieval village that has captivated audiences from all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, the film has also brought fame to the picturesque village of Cortona. Strolling through its cobbled alleyways and with views of the olive groves, you\u2019ll feel as though you\u2019re right inside the film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A slow-paced cinematic tour of Tuscany<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Aerial
Photo by Phil Evenden, via Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the film sets in Val d\u2019Orcia<\/strong> will allow you to relive those magical cinematic moments. It\u2019s not just an experience to tick off your bucket list. It allows you to truly understand the enchantment that directors felt when choosing these locations to tell their stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ideal approach is that of slow travel<\/a>: discovering the villages at a leisurely pace, allowing yourself spontaneous detours along scenic dirt tracks. A slow film-themed itinerary in Val d\u2019Orcia<\/strong> could begin in Pienza, exploring Palazzo Piccolomini and Piazza Pio II. These are the settings for Romeo and Juliet<\/em> and The Medici<\/em>. You can then continue towards the Pieve di Corsignano to follow the Terrapille path leading to the Elysian Fields from Gladiator<\/em>. And then, you can admire the silhouette of Poggio Manzuoli from afar near San Quirico d\u2019Orcia. The next stop is the Monastery of Sant\u2019Anna in Camprena to soak up the atmosphere of The English Patient<\/em>, before rounding off the day amongst the historic alleyways of Montepulciano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying in organic farmhouses amongst the film locations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Organic
Agriturismo Il Rigo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After a day of film tourism, you can spend the night in an organic farmhouse<\/strong> nestled amongst the very same landscapes that have enchanted the world of cinema. Val d\u2019Orcia<\/strong> offers an extraordinary variety of eco-sustainable accommodation options<\/strong><\/a>: farmhouses surrounded by nature, where you can savour organic and homemade<\/strong> delicacies whilst admiring some of Italy\u2019s most beautiful views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying at an organic farmhouse amidst the landscapes of the silver screen means transforming a cinematic journey into a complete sensory experience. The very same golden light that Ridley Scott immortalised and the silence that Minghella turned into emotion. You can experience all this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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