Royal Palace of Caserta on film: Star Wars, Mission: Impossible III and Angels & Demons
The Royal Palace of Caserta appears in Star Wars Episodes I and II, Mission: Impossible III and Angels & Demons, and more recently in The Two Popes and Conclave. The Grand Staircase and the upper vestibule are the most recognisable sets, and you pass through them on a visit to the apartments.
At a glance
- Best-known films
- Star Wars I and II, Mission: Impossible III, Angels & Demons, The Two Popes, Conclave
- Sets to look for
- Grand Staircase and upper vestibule; the entrance gallery on the ground floor
- Plays the part of
- The royal palace on Naboo and, in several films, the Vatican
- Hours and tickets
- See our Royal Palace guide
- Getting there
- Regional train from Napoli Centrale, under 1 hour
The films and the spaces
| Film | Year | Where | Plays the part of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wars: Episode I | 1999 | Upper vestibule, Grand Staircase, entrance gallery | Royal palace on Naboo |
| Star Wars: Episode II | 2002 | Upper vestibule and Grand Staircase | Royal palace on Naboo |
| Mission: Impossible III | 2006 | Façade and interiors, rooms not named in our sources | The Vatican |
| Angels & Demons | 2009 | Grand Staircase, Cannocchiale | The Vatican |
| The Two Popes | 2019 | Sala di Marte, Grand Staircase, Palatine Chapel | The Vatican |
| Conclave | 2024 | Grand Staircase | The Vatican |
Star Wars: the palace on Naboo
In Episode I the palace is home to Queen Amidala. According to Italy for Movies:
- The throne room was set up in the upper vestibule, with its marble columns.
- The Grand Staircase, with its marble lions, is where the queen and her court walk down as prisoners.
- In the long entrance gallery on the ground floor, the Federation leaders talk to Darth Maul.
In Episode II the queen and her advisers meet in the upper vestibule, at the top of the staircase. Many of the shootouts and explosions were added in post-production. The palace closed to visitors for four days during filming.
One correction: Anakin and Padmé's secret wedding was not filmed in the Caserta park, as you may read online. Italy for Movies places it at Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como.
The palace sometimes hosts fan gatherings. The latest one we know of was on 14 December 2025, with cosplayers on the staircases and in the vestibule.
Mission: Impossible III and Angels & Demons
In Mission: Impossible III the palace's façade and interiors become the Vatican. Italy for Movies places the reception scene here, but none of the sources we read names specific rooms. The brief shots of St Peter's Square are in Rome.
In Angels & Demons the Grand Staircase hosts the cardinals' procession to the conclave. The Cannocchiale, the long ground-floor perspective, appears several times.
More recent films
The Two Popes uses the Sala di Marte for its opening scenes and the Grand Staircase for the procession to the Palatine Chapel, which stands in for the Sistine Chapel. The chapel's interiors were rebuilt at Cinecittà. In Conclave the prelates talk on the Grand Staircase. The production filmed here for three days.
Italy for Movies also lists the series Kaos and Mozzarella Stories.
What to look for on your visit
- Climb the Grand Staircase, at the start of the apartments route.
- Stop in the upper vestibule: this is Naboo's throne room.
- Before you leave, look down the Cannocchiale on the ground floor.
Tip: save a still from Episode I on your phone and compare it with the real staircase. Hours, tickets and closing days change, so check our Royal Palace guide. If you want to see the Palatine Chapel, confirm that it's open.
Useful pages
- Royal Palace of Casertahours, tickets and trains
- Films and TV shows shot in Naplesevery title
- My Brilliant Friendalso filmed in Caserta
- Naples to Pompeiianother day trip
Frequently asked questions
Which parts of Star Wars were filmed at Caserta Palace?
The interiors of the royal palace on Naboo in Episode I (1999) and Episode II (2002), mainly the upper vestibule and the Grand Staircase.
Was Anakin and Padmé's wedding filmed in Caserta?
No. According to Italy for Movies it was filmed at Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como.
What films were shot at the Royal Palace of Caserta?
The best known are Star Wars Episodes I and II, Mission: Impossible III, Angels & Demons, The Two Popes and Conclave. Italy for Movies also lists Kaos and Mozzarella Stories.
Can you see the Star Wars sets on a visit?
Yes. The Grand Staircase and the upper vestibule are on the apartments route. See our Royal Palace guide for hours and tickets.
Which Angels & Demons scene was filmed at Caserta?
The cardinals' procession to the conclave on the Grand Staircase. The ground-floor Cannocchiale also appears several times.
Where to stay for your day trip to Caserta
47 places to stay in the Central Station area on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
