Loms Galactic Tours
Star wars in Italy
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In Italy the star wars film crew used locations in the south in Caserta and in the north on Lake Como for The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. The Royal Palace in Caserta served as the backdrop for Queen Amidala'a court on Naboo during the Trade Federations blockade headed by Darth Sidious. And Lake Como was the lake retreat where Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala had their first kiss and then later married.
Caserta
Lake Como
Mount Etna
Reggia de Caserta –
The Palazzo Reale or Royal Palace is just North East of Naples in southern Italy.
Located on the Piazza Carlo III, built in the fifteenth century by King Charles VII of France, it has 1,200 rooms and 116 step staircase.It is directly opposite the railway station and clearly visible from the exit.
Sarah and I went on a two week train tour of Italy in September 2004. We stayed three nights in Sorrento, two in Rome, two in Florence, three in Lake Garda, three in Lake Como and one night in Milan. I will say the Italian trains were superb always on time
and always clean!
We decided to go to Caserta on our 1st full day in Italy (as we had plans the next day for Pompeii) we woke early got on the Circumvesuviana to Naples then a connecting train took us to the Palace.
The day was becoming very hot already so we bought water before heading out of the station. As you get out into the sunshine the Palace is right in front of you, all be it on the other side of the road and a football pitch or two of grass. We took an underground walkway that led right to the main gate. When we arrived we asked for tickets and were asked what seemed to be a strange question about requiring a bus for the gardens? Being fit and young (not a word Sarah) I said no. I just could not wait to look for the large staircase and the Queen of Naboo’s room. (More about the gardens later).We were in luck with visitors, not too many and so we were able to look around unhindered. The staircase is located centrally and is indeed very large, it is exactly like the shots seen in the film, lions included. Sweeping up from the outside elements and round in both directions, this tourist’s mouth was wide open just taking in the size and scope of the place. As you reach the top either side there is a circular room where nearly all of the Queens dialogue was filmed.
I had thought the room was flat and found it hard to orientate myself at first. Again the scope of the place and fantastic marble was breathtaking.
However there was a problem – there was an exhibition taking place in the circle and they had started to put up screens around, so taking a photo was all but pointless. I got a few images and just took in the moment; I was at Queen Amidala’s court for a short while at least.
If you are in the area of Caserta do go to the Palace and also visit the gardens but unless uber fit take the bus option because they go on for miles (like Versailles, yes I have been there too). A great visit and start to our holiday.
Used for TPM for four days towards the last week in July 1997 filming the main cast Natalie Portman, Oliver Ford Davis, Hugh Quarshie and a little known Keira Knightly took place between midday and midnight. The Palace was returned to for ATOC in early September 2000 for a short period to film the new Queen elect and again the Handmaidens with Portman and Christiansen, shooting from 1pm to 1am on its one and only day there.
Lake Como – perfect retreat
Villa Balbianello on the shore of Lake Como in Northern Italy dates back to 1787 when Cardinal Durini retired from his diplomatic career and purchased the wooded promontory, bell towers and tiny chapel.
The last private owner, the mountaineer Count Monzini undertook landscaping and architectural restoration in the 1970s
Towards the end of Sarah and my two week Italy trip we headed north to the lakes. After spending a wonderful three nights in Riva del Garda on Lake Garda it was time to take the train and then Water taxi to Bellagio on Lake Como.
We arrived on Saturday 18th September 2004 mid afternoon; from the jetty at Bellagio the Villa Balbianello is just visible looking South West. Not quite knowing where the hotel was and no sign of a land taxi, we decided to walk to the hotel, which took about twenty minutes in the end.
The Hotel was fully stocked with pamphlets and guides to the local attractions it also had a flier for a tour of the Villa and arrival by boat! I could not turn that down. So, we arranged two places for the Sunday costing 40.00 Euros per person.
The company rep was Australian and so we had no trouble understanding what we had to do in case of emergency.The tour did not just do directly to the Villa but also showed other places of interest along the shoreline By the time we got to the small landing area I could hardly contain my excitement. Not only were we in a wonderful location with great views of the Lake,we were also going to be seeing where Anakin stands pondering his mother
and the icing on the cake – the location of Anakin and Padme’s wedding.
Before being able to rush off we were taken round on a tour of the property by an English speaking guide who showed us most of the rooms of the property.I hadn’t known any details of this before leaving the UK and was glad to be shown around.
For AOTC the villa is pretty much an undressed location. Lucas had been here whilst on vacation and because of its beauty wanted to use it somehow in the Star Wars Movies so wrote all of the Naboo scenes with this in mind. The cast and crew used the Villa for four days in the first week of September 2000. This is where the romantic story starts to play out and where Anakin and padme’s forbidden love starts to blossom.
The loggia was used for Anakin’s ponderings of his mother (recreated so well by myself), and the courtyard for the secret ceremony of the Two.
NB. I got down on one knee and proposed to Sarah in the courtyard.
She said YES…….. Married 10th Sept.2005.
MOUNT ETNA - Italy
Mount Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania.
It is the largest volcano in Europe, currently standing about 3,350 m (10,991 ft) high. Etna covers an area of 1190 km² (460 square miles) with a basal circumference of 140 km. This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanos in Italy, being nearly three times the height of the next largest, Mount Vesuvius.
The climax of Revenge of the Sith takes place on the planet Mustafar.The actual lava for the planet was mostly a giant miniature set about twenty by thirty feet. The lava was created with a chemical called methocil which is a food additive.
The lava explosions were filmed by master cinematographer Ron Fricke on a visit to Sicily’s Mount Etna as it was erupting.
Also Digital matte paintings helped to create the climactic final scenes of Anakin Skywalker and the Birth of Darth Vader
