It’s Wonder Woman time! I think it’s safe to say just about everyone is excited for Wonder Woman tonight. Although DC films have been, well, not so hot as of late, I think Wonder Woman is going to be the amazing success we’re all hoping for. I’ve wanted a female super hero movie since I was a kid and we finally have one! I love Wonder Woman and being the travel loving geek I am, I want to show all of you the filming locations that were transformed into the real Themyscira. Spoiler alert – they all take place in the beautiful country of Italy.
The Real Themyscira
Castel del Monte, Andria, Bari, Apulia, Italy
This 13th century citadel and castle was built by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. It’s located on a small hill in Andria, which is in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. The design of this fortress is very unique in that it is an octagonal prism design with octagonal towers. Once filled with beautiful marble, it was stripped after being left in disrepair. In 1996, the Castel del Monte was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is seen on the back side of the Italian Euro 1 cent coin.
Palinuro, Centola, Salerno, Campania, Italy
Palinuro is a small seaside town, south of the Amalfi Coast. It is most well known for Capo Palinuro, with its seaside caves and grottos. The coast here is known as the Coast of Myth since the town gets its name from Palinurus, the helmsmen to Aeneas. This is more of a local travel hot spot, so you’re less likely to encounter large crowds here, making it an excellent spot to really experience the culture of southern Italy.
Matera, Basilicata, Italy
Matera is a city in southern Italy and has been a filming location for dozens of films. Matera is most well known for it’s historical center, the Sassi. The Sassi consists of houses dug into the rock itself and some of the streets run on top of other houses. It may be the only place in the world where people can say they live in the same place their ancestors did thousands of years ago – and that’s a pretty hard claim to beat! With 2 locations in Matera considered as a World Heritage Site along with Matera being the Italian host of European Capital of Culture in 2019, this is a must visit city.
Villa Cimbrone, Ravello, Salerno, Campania, Italy
This breathtaking 11th century historic building, now a hotel, is located in Ravello, on the Amalfi coast in southern Italy. It’s famous for the Terrazzo dell’lnfinito (Terrace of Infinity), shown in the photo above. It has been altered and expanded many times and very little of the original structure remains. The Villa Cimbrone has belonged to many wealthy families over time and was even part of a nearby monastary. Can you imagine standing there taking in this view?
Camerota, Salerno, Campania, Italy
So there you have it. The real Themyscira is found all throughout southern Italy. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to hop on a plane right now to channel my own inner Amazonian princess and save the world, one gorgeous beach at a time.
Which of these spots would you most want to visit?
Ugh, so gorgeous!! I’d happily visit any of these! I’ve never been a big DC fan, but I think it’s fantastic that we’re getting a badass female superhero movie ❤️ Can’t wait to check it out!
I feel like on a whole, I like Marvel more, but I’ve always had a soft spot for anything Batman and Wonder Woman. I’m legit so excited that we FINALLY get a female lead superhero movie 🙂
I cannot wait for Wonder Woman – so much excite!
I’ve heard amazing things – just need to get a babysitter so the husband and I can go see it together 🙂
These places are gorgeous! I am so excited for Wonder Woman as well, but I may see it next week when hopefully the crowd has died down a little bit.
I don’t blame you for wanting to avoid the crowds – I seriously cannot wait to see it, hopefully this weekend 🙂
I want to go back to Italy now.
I loved the movie. Can’t wait to see it again.
I’ve been to Italy once and really want to go back 🙂
Dawww this is so cool (+++ I’m super glad you love Italy!!! Grazie! Grandissima!) As for Wonder Woman, I went on Friday and it was a blast!!! 😀 😀 😀
I’m so sad I didn’t get to see it this weekend 😭😭😭
I’m such a Wonder Woman big fan so these places are a must visit! I’m not too far from Italy so that’s a good thing:)
Definitely a good thing to be close to Italy 🙂
I was in Italy a few years ago, and the Southern coast was definitely my favorite. So completely gorgeous, and seeing Wonder Woman just made me want to go back. All of these sites look amazing, but I am most intrigued by Matera, Basilicata!
I’m also most intrigues by Matera – it looks like such an amazing, history filled place.
Oh my 😮 I really want to go to Italy! It looks so lovely!
Italy really is a gorgeous country to visit.
Exploring Italy is definitely on my Europe adventure list if I ever make it across the pond. Not that I’ve really thought about it, but didn’t realize Italy also had castles. I’ve always wanted to visit England and Ireland for their castles, but Italy looks like it has a lot going for it.