From Palermo to Catania, the locations of Il Gattopardo bring to life late 19th-century Sicily and the story of an aristocracy in decline.
The grand Palazzo Salina, the summer retreat of Donnafugata, the historic streets of Palermo filled with Garibaldi’s marching troops—these are just some of the stunning locations featured in the new Netflix series Il Gattopardo, streaming from March 5. Directed by Tom Shankland and with contributions from Laura Luchetti and Giuseppe Capotondi, the series is based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s iconic novel, one of the greatest masterpieces in Italian and world literature.
Il Gattopardo: the story of an unchanging Sicily
The 11th of May 1860: Garibaldi’s army lands in Sicily, marking the beginning of the end for the Bourbon Kingdom. Spanning from 1860 to 1910, Il Gattopardo tells the story of the fading aristocracy and the emerging bourgeoisie while revealing the contradictions of the Sicilian people who talk of unfulfilled love, political ambitions, and social aspirations while remaining stubbornly attached to a sense of inertia.
At the heart of the story is Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina—an imposing yet disillusioned nobleman—alongside his daughter Concetta, his shrewd and ambitious nephew Tancredi, and Angelica, the beautiful daughter of the mayor of Donnafugata.
With Sicily as its ever-present stage, the series alternates between the island’s decadent splendour and the historical events that would shape the future of Italy.
The Sicilian filming locations of Il Gattopardo
Filming for the Netflix series began in April 2023 and lasted about four months, covering more than 50 locations across Palermo, Syracuse, Catania, Rome, and Turin.
Watching the series, it’s impossible not to be captivated by the breathtaking beauty of these places.
Welcome to Villa Salina (aka Villa Valguarnera)
The magnificent Villa Salina, the heart of Il Gattopardo, immediately captivates with its majestic architecture, lush gardens, elegant courtyards, and grand arcades. The Day Room, where the family gathers for discussions, was filmed in this spectacular setting.
In reality, the Salina family’s residence is Villa Valguarnera, an 18th-century architectural jewel surrounded by a vast park in Bagheria, near Palermo. Still owned by the Alliata family, the villa can be visited by appointment.
The daily life of Palazzo Comitini
The Salina family’s lavish breakfasts and dinners unfold in opulent halls adorned with frescoed ceilings and stunning majolica floors, where every detail evokes the grandeur of a bygone era.
These scenes were filmed at Palazzo Comitini, one of Palermo’s most prestigious historic residences. Located on Via Maqueda in the city centre, the palace was commissioned by Michele Gravina, Prince of Comitini, and built between 1766 and 1781 by architect Nicolò Palma. It is open for free visits from Monday to Friday.
Donnafugata: the town that never was
The fictional town of Donnafugata, the Salina family’s summer retreat, exists only in the pages of the novel. For the series, Ortigia—transformed into a 19th-century Sicilian village—became the perfect stand-in.
Filming actually took place in the scenic Piazza del Duomo of Ortigia, the ancient heart of Syracuse, where the Cathedral and the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia stand in timeless elegance.
Through “deserted mountains like despair”
To reach Donnafugata, the Salina family embarks on a journey by carriage through a barren, almost funereal landscape, as described by the Prince himself.
These hauntingly beautiful scenes were filmed in the calanchi of Cannizzola, also known as the “Desert of the Calanchi” or the “Desert of Centuripe,” an area between Centuripe and Paternò in the provinces of Enna and Catania. The dramatic rock formations, shaped by water erosion, create an arid, otherworldly landscape of deep, winding ravines.
Centuripe, Calanchi – Foto via Wikimedia Commons
Garibaldi’s troops arrive in Palermo
Historically, Garibaldi’s army landed in Marsala, but in the Netflix series, these scenes were shot in Macari, a coastal hamlet in the province of Trapani. The march of the Redshirts through the streets of Palermo follows.
The military parade takes place along Via Maqueda, one of Palermo’s most famous streets. Meanwhile, the Salina family watches from the balcony of Palazzo Costantino at Quattro Canti as history unfolds before their eyes.
A grand ball at the palace
One of the most striking additions to the Netflix adaptation of Il Gattopardo is an original scene not found in Tomasi di Lampedusa’s novel or the classic 1963 film: the Ballo della Liberazione (Liberation Ball). This lavish waltz, set in a resplendent ballroom teeming with elegantly dressed guests, is attended by Don Fabrizio, his wife Princess Maria Stella di Corbera, Tancredi, Concetta, and their cousins.
The ball scenes were filmed at Palazzo Biscari, a magnificent Baroque palace in the heart of Catania. Frequently used for exhibitions and events, Palazzo Biscari is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday.
Catania, Palazzo Biscari – Photo credits: Giovanni Pen
Sicily through the lens of a bygone era
Netflix’s Il Gattopardo transports audiences back in time, immersing them in a world that existed more than a century and a half ago. Yet, through its spectacular real-life settings, the series captures a Sicily whose charm remains untouched by time.
As Alessandro Mascheroni, Head of International Film & TV at Indiana Production, stated in an interview with MeStyle: “Only real locations could faithfully represent the richness and authenticity of the novel’s settings. One of our top priorities was to capture the grandeur of Sicilian Baroque, the vibrant colours of its landscapes, and the unique atmosphere of this extraordinary island.”
Credits:
Cover image, Cathedral of Palermo, foto via Unsplash, Flo P
Siracusa. Piazza Duomo, Chiesa di S. Lucia – Photo credits: Alfio Garozzo
Calanchi Centuripe, foto via Wikimedia Commons
Palermo. Quattro canti – Photo credits: Wolfgang Moroder
Catania, Palazzo Biscari – Photo credits: Giovanni Pen
.jpg?uselang=it){kind=link}
