There are many places in the world that have been used as filming locations. The top spots are Skellig Michael, the Italian lakeside village of Villa del Balbianello, and Buckingham Palace in England. But what makes these places so special? Here, we take a closer look at three locations that have been used for filming.
Skellig Michael is the most popular filming location in the world
Skellig Michael, a large island in Ireland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been a popular tourist destination for centuries. It is home to an ancient monastery and stone structures that have endured the elements. The island has been featured in a number of movies, including the upcoming Star Wars sequels.
The remote island has been the filming location for many famous movies. Besides 'The Last Jedi,' it has appeared in 'The Sound of Music' and 'Mamma Mia!', and has even been used in 'The Lord of the Rings' series. Recently, Skellig Michael has become a global movie set, and thousands of Star Wars fans come to the island each year to visit. Many of them come dressed up in costume and recreate scenes from the movie.
In 2015, the cast of Star Wars' The Last Jedi returned to Skellig Michael. The cast filmed on the island for three days. While they were only shooting in the final scenes, the island has an important role in the story. However, one of the main challenges for film-makers is actually getting to the island. It is only accessible by small boat, and the journey can be rough.
Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como
The village of Lenno, located in the northern part of Lombardy, is home to a charming villa named Villa del Balbianello. The villa is situated on a small peninsula called Dosso d'Avedo on the south-western branch of Lake Como, about 1500 meters east of Isola Comacina.
This lakeside villa is known for being a popular film location. Films are shot in several locations in the region. A few movies were filmed in Lake Como, including Casino Royale and A Month at the Lake. It was also the location of the hospital in the movie Casino Royale.
This magnificent 18th-century villa is a perfect movie location. It sits on a wooden promontory near the town of Lenno on Lake Como. It was originally a Franciscan monastery and is now a beautifully preserved residence. It has six floors and retains many of the architectural details of the former Franciscan monastery.
Buckingham Palace
If you're interested in seeing real-life film locations, then consider Buckingham Palace, which has played host to many movies and television shows. This historic building has even been used as a movie set, with its beautiful gardens and soaring spires. You can also take a walking tour to explore more film locations in London.
The Palace is also home to state banquets. These events are usually scheduled a year in advance and take the palace's staff up to four months to plan and execute. In case of emergency, though, the Queen's state banquets are often cancelled at the last minute, and Hollywood crews have to find alternative venues to film their movie scenes.
Morocco's Ait Benhaddou
If you are looking for the perfect setting for your next movie, consider visiting Morocco's Ait Benhaddou. The 1,000-year-old fortified village is a prime film location. Located on the southern slopes of the High Atlas mountains, the village is surrounded by high defensive walls. The village was home to several families and included a mosque and caravanserai. The village is still in use today, though only a few people live there.
Ait Benhaddou was first visited in the 11th century by travelers who wanted to find peace. It was also an important stopping point on old caravan routes. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a prime example of traditional Southern Moroccan architecture. It is not too far from Marrakech, and is worth a visit if you're in the area.
