Maps of Movies

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Where Cinema Paradiso says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The Sicilian village of Giancaldo does not exist: its square, cinema, church and station were filmed in different places

Scenes and places

A late-night call in Rome (1988)

Salvatore, a famous film director, comes home late and hears that someone called Alfredo has died. He cannot sleep, and the news sends him back to his childhood.

Set in Salvatore's home, Rome — The Rome home where Salvatore learns Alfredo has died; the film does not place it more exactly than the city. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at De Paolis Studios, Rome — Interiors other than the church and the cinema were shot at the De Paolis studios in Rome; the sources do not say this was the apartment scene. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The village square of Giancaldo

A few years after the war, eight-year-old Salvatore, nicknamed Totò, lives in the village with his mother. He spends every free moment at the movie house.

Set in Giancaldo (fictional village), Sicily — The made-up Sicilian village where Totò grows up; the film builds it from several real places.

Filmed at Piazza Umberto I, Palazzo Adriano — The town square in the film. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: The main square of Palazzo Adriano, about 48 km south of Palermo.

Cinema Paradiso

Totò begins on tense terms with the projectionist Alfredo, then becomes his friend. Alfredo lets the boy watch films from the projection booth.

Set in Cinema Paradiso, Giancaldo — The village movie house where Totò befriends the projectionist Alfredo.

The facade and the interior were filmed in two different buildings of the same village.

Filmed at Cinema facade set, Piazza Umberto I, Palazzo Adriano — The cinema facade was built for filming in the square and taken down afterwards; the coordinate is the octagonal fountain it faced. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Church of Maria Santissima del Carmelo, Palazzo Adriano — The church interior was used for a year as the cinema interior. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Totò's house

Totò is the mischievous, intelligent son of a war widow. His home is where he goes back to from the cinema.

Set in Totò's house, Giancaldo — The home Totò shares with his mother and sister.

Filmed at Via Molinello 110, Palazzo Adriano — Totò's house; the coordinate is the village centre, not the street number. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The train out of Giancaldo

Alfredo tells Salvatore the town is too small for his dreams and that he must leave and not look back. They embrace in tears, and Salvatore boards the train.

Set in Giancaldo railway station — The village station where Salvatore leaves to pursue his future as a filmmaker.

Filmed at Lascari-Gratteri station, Lascari — The train departure scene was filmed at this station. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Alfredo's house, under the arch of Via Chiara, Palazzo Adriano — Alfredo's house Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Cefalù — Unplaced scenes Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Bagheria — Unplaced scenes Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Salvatore (Totò) Di Vita — A Sicilian boy who grows up in the village cinema and becomes a film director.
• Alfredo — The middle-aged projectionist who becomes Totò's friend and mentor.