Film Location Tourism in Tuscany and Umbria

Walt Disney knew it; Hollywood encouraged it and now Harry Potter has conjured up the latest interest in film induced tourism. In a recent article Warner Bros were congratulated by manager of Gloucester Cathedral for the hoards that are now pounding their way to see this ancient building. It forms part of the location for the magical school Hogwarts in the multi-million pound franchise and the funds raised from the visitors assist greatly with the £5,000 per day, upkeep of the building.

A report by the New Zealand tourist board echoed this with its own results; followers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy are currently bring millions of tourist dollars into the country as a result of fans wanting to visit the film locations that made the films such a success. However if your money doesn’t stretch to trip to New Zealand and a rainy day out in Gloucester doesn’t appeal there are many interesting films that have been located in sunny Umbria and Tuscany.

Tea with Mussolini – Florence and San Gimignano
Under a Tuscan Sun – Cortona, Sansepolcro
Life is Beautiful – Arezzo, Terni
Hannibal – Florence
Room with a View – Florence
Brother Sun, Sister Moon – San Gimignano, Gubbio
My House in Umbria – Siena
James Bond, Quantum of Solace - Siena

Film websites like Reelstreets have understood this phenomenon for a while as well, here members are actively encouraged to discover movie locations and take the “now” photos to add alongside the sites “then” shots taken from classic cinema. As the latest Harry Potter film hits the cinemas this month and the long awaited prequel to Lord of the Rings due for release in 2011 the trend of seeking out locations made famous by the movies looks set to continue.

Photo by Umbriart

Shaken Not Stirred

For anyone who has seen the opening sequences of the latest James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace” you will have witnessed the exciting spectacle of the “Palio di Siena”. The race is run twice a year in the Tuscan town, on the 2nd July and 16th August and has been a feature of the “Piazza del Campo” since it was first organised in 1656 to honour the apparition of the Virgin Mary nearby.

Siena is divided into sixteen Contradas or districts that all compete for the prized Palio, a beautifully designed banner awarded to the winner. Each Contradas has its own coat of arms, emblems, colours, patron saint and supporters; which include the she wolf, porcupine, the forest, the snail and the tortoise and attracts passionate followers.

The event itself consists of four days of celebrations, medieval costumed precessions and displays, culminating in flag throwing exhibitions, parade of the jockeys, a cavalry charge by the mounted Carabinieri and then the race itself. Siena ’s piazza is turned into a racecourse, the floor covered with earth, protective bleachers erected and stands put up for the 33,000 spectators. Many more are crammed into every available window, roof and balcony to witness the event.

The race is a chaotic; bare-backed three laps of the course with the winner taking all, surprisingly enough it is not the last person to cross the line who is considered the looser but the second placed rider. Visitors will get to see a celebration that stretches back centuries and in these modern days of corporate sponsorship and big business the Palio di Siena still maintains a medieval feel at its core.

If you are coming over to Italy for the Palio, why not check out our medieval monastry offering excellent accommodation and within easy reach of Siena. www.lapreghiera.com