Parthenope and The Hand of God: Sorrentino's filming locations in Naples
Parthenope (2024) was shot along the seafront, on Spaccanapoli, at the Cathedral, at Federico II University, in Posillipo and on Capri. The Hand of God (2021) moves between Vomero, Piazza del Plebiscito, Galleria Umberto and the Sorrento peninsula. Almost every city location is public. The Posillipo villas are not.
At a glance
- Films
- Parthenope (2024) and The Hand of God (2021), by Paolo Sorrentino
- Open to everyone
- The seafront, Galleria Umberto, Piazza del Plebiscito, Via Toledo, Spaccanapoli
- Not open to visitors
- Villa Lauro and Villa Grotta Marina (private, visible from the sea); the Via San Domenico home
- Time needed
- Half a day on foot for the city-centre locations
- Outside the city
- Capri, Vico Equense, Massa Lubrense, Torre del Greco
Parthenope (2024) locations
Filming in Naples took about ten weeks in summer 2023, on a closed set. Some of the old-town alleys were actually rebuilt in Genoa.
| Place | Scene | Can you visit? |
|---|---|---|
| Lungomare Caracciolo | The funeral procession and the disinfestation truck, a memory of the cholera outbreak | Yes, public promenade |
| Via Partenope, by Hotel Santa Lucia | The final scene with the blue ship | Yes, public street |
| Galleria Umberto and Via San Carlo | The elegant strolling scenes | Yes |
| Spaccanapoli | The alleys and street-level homes at night | Yes |
| Cathedral and Treasure of San Gennaro | The bishop and miracle scenes | Yes, see our guide |
| Federico II University, Corso Umberto I | The Oval Hall and the Minerva Staircase | Interiors: check with the university |
| Certosa di San Martino | The antique carriages in her younger years | It is a museum: check opening times |
| Gardens of Augustus and Punta Carena, Capri | The Faraglioni from above, summer by the sea | Yes |
| Villa Lauro and Villa Grotta Marina, Posillipo | Her birth and the family home | No: private, visible from the sea |
Sources differ on the birth scene. Visit Naples places it in the sea off Villa Lauro, also called Villa Rocca Matilde. Sky TG24 says Palazzo Donn'Anna.
The Hand of God (2021) locations
| Place | Scene | Can you visit? |
|---|---|---|
| Piazza del Plebiscito | Aunt Patrizia and San Gennaro | Yes |
| Galleria Umberto I | Fabietto follows director Antonio Capuano | Yes |
| Via Toledo, Banco di Napoli building | Where the father works | From outside |
| Galleria Toledo, Spanish Quarter | The theatre where he meets Capuano | It is a theatre: you enter for performances |
| Via Orazio | The brothers spot Maradona in his car | Yes, public street |
| Via San Domenico, Vomero | The Schisa home, in the building where Sorrentino lived | No: lived-in building |
| Maradona Stadium, Fuorigrotta | The 1980s stadium, recreated digitally | From outside |
| Villa d'Abro, Posillipo | The last conversation with Capuano | Access not confirmed |
| Capri's Piazzetta and Blue Grotto | The empty square and the night swim | Yes, see our guide |
Outside the city you will see Villa Giusso in Vico Equense, the summer house, and Villa del Cardinale in Torre del Greco, where Patrizia meets the Munaciello. Scoglio Isca, off Massa Lubrense, can only be reached by boat. Other scenes were shot in Cetara, Conca dei Marini, Stromboli and Roccaraso.
A walk through both films
The two films overlap in the city centre:
- Start in Piazza del Plebiscito.
- Walk through Galleria Umberto and along Via San Carlo.
- Continue up Via Toledo.
- Head back to the water: Via Partenope and Lungomare Caracciolo.
The next day, add Spaccanapoli and the Cathedral.
Tip: Villa Lauro and Villa Grotta Marina can only be seen from the water, so don't look for a way in from the land. Via San Domenico is a street of lived-in apartment buildings, and there is nothing to visit.
Nearby
- Seafront and Castel dell'Ovothe ending of Parthenope
- Spaccanapolithe old-town alleys
- Cathedral and Treasure of San Gennaroa Parthenope set
- Films and TV shows shot in Naplesevery title
Frequently asked questions
Where was Parthenope filmed?
In Naples, along the seafront and Via Partenope, in Galleria Umberto, on Spaccanapoli, at the Cathedral, at Federico II University and in Posillipo, and on Capri. Some alleys were rebuilt in Genoa.
Can you visit the villa in Parthenope?
No. Villa Lauro, also called Villa Rocca Matilde, and Villa Grotta Marina are private. According to Visit Naples they can only be seen from the sea.
Where was The Hand of God filmed?
Mostly in Naples: Vomero, Piazza del Plebiscito, Galleria Umberto, Via Toledo and Posillipo. Also in Vico Equense, Massa Lubrense, Capri, Stromboli and Roccaraso.
Where is the house in The Hand of God?
On Via San Domenico in Vomero, in the building where Sorrentino grew up. People live there and it can't be visited.
Where was the blue ship ending of Parthenope filmed?
On Via Partenope, by Hotel Santa Lucia. It is a public street on the seafront.
Where to stay in Chiaia
48 places to stay in Chiaia on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
