Conclave is the political drama helmed by Edward Berger, released towards the end of 2024, that explores the intricate process of electing a new Papacy after the untimely death of the current head of the Catholic Church. As the cardinal electors are locked in a conclave, the film handles a series of moral dilemmas and conflicts from deep within the Vatican — which poses the question of how much was filmed on location in Italy. Ralph Fiennes leads Conclave‘s cast as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, though he is accompanied by an impressive list of stars among its ensemble.
By the end of Conclave, the film is almost entirely set in the Vatican itself, but a large proportion of filming actually took place elsewhere. In fact, Conclave was filmed in multiple locations throughout Italy. Of course, historical sites such as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica are integral to the story, which ultimately meant there were many limitations on what, and where, the production crew could film. However, this did not damage the credibility of the process, as they accurately replicated the Vatican right down to Conclave showing the importance of the turtles that live within their Vatican Gardens.
Cinecittà Studios, Rome
Cinecittà Studios Was The Central Location For Most Of Conclave’s Indoor Scenes
Cinecittà Studios in Rome was the main filming location for Conclave. This studio is a staple for large-budget productions for both Italian and international cinema and had previously been used for major blockbusters such as Gladiator and The Godfather. Cinecittà Studios was an incredibly important location for Conclave‘s production designers because of its controlled environment. Consequently, the set construction team would be able to better replicate the inner sanctuary of the Vatican in far greater detail.
The input from Cinecittà Studios is notable in the sequences within the Sistine Chapel, scenes that happen throughout the papal election process. The layout was also adjusted accordingly, making the Sistine Chapel feel more political and potentially reminiscent of Congress. Conclave‘s production designer, Suzie Davies, went on to explain the process to Town & Country. Davies revealed that the Sistine Chapel set was built from scenery that had previously been stored in a container at Cinecittà Studios, which was then reworked by the production team to accurately mirror the essence of the sacred building.
Caserta Palace, Italy
The Royal Palace Of Caserta Is A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Caserta Palace is located in the region of southern Italy. Roughly 35 kilometers north of Naples, Caserta Palace provided many of the foundations for Conclave. Once again, this location was significant for accurately rendering the Vatican’s elegance and beauty. Production design for Conclave mostly used Caserta’s expansive corridors and delicate artwork as a subsтιтute for much of the detail of the Sistine Chapel. This can be seen in the frequent sH๏τs of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence in conversation with his fellow clergymen while descending the grand staircase.
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A handful of Star Wars fans recognized the Royal Palace of Caserta, too. The set appears very early on in the series, towards the beginning of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, moments before the main group make their escape to the home planet of Padmé Amidala, Naboo.
Villa Medici, Rome
Conclave’s Vatican Gardens Were Filmed In Rome
Rome’s Villa Medici played an instrumental role in Conclave, as the art museum was another ideal location for the political drama to create a key setting. The villa has come to be known as the French Academy in Rome and features some of the most breathtaking views in Italy. In an interview with Galerie, Davies said Villa Medici was chosen for Conclave “because it had elements that had an essence of the Vatican gardens — a similar style, and some amazing views of Rome.” However, the team had to be wary that filming did not disrupt the museum’s day-to-day operations.
Scaffolding caused some obstructions which were cleverly concealed by hedges and tall plants.
The location only required minor adjustments and happened to be undergoing restoration work during Conclave‘s shoot. Consequently, scaffolding meant some obstructions that were cleverly hidden by hedges and tall plants. It was a happy coincidence that the grounds also had a surprising mosaic pond that was used to house the turtles in Conclave. The most identifiable images of Villa Medici are perhaps during the scene in which Cardinal Lawrence returns an escaped turtle to its pond. Villa Medicia is also where the sprawling umbrella sH๏τ was filmed, appearing late in the movie as the cardinals walk through the rain (via TheWrap).
Santo Spirito, Rome
The Cloister Of Santo Spirito Was Used For The Cardinals’ Arrival In Conclave
Santo Spirito is a 12th-century тιтular Church of the Holy Spirit in Sᴀssia, Rome. The architecture of the church is another prominent element in Conclave; Santo Spirito was predominantly used for the arrival of the cardinals, in which the pillars can be seen in the background of Berger’s replicated Vatican. Davies revealed this location “had so many great features, like ancient corridors and courtyards with hidden library bookcases” (via Focus Features).
The Museum Of Roman Civilization, Rome
Museo della Civiltà Is The Italian Name For The Museum of Roman Civilization Used In Conclave
The Museum of Roman Civilization, belonging to a district of Rome, has been closed to the public for renovations since 2014, which was ideal for Conclave‘s production. Museo della Civiltà can be pictured early on in 2024’s blockbuster Conclave. The location provided a large-scale room with beautiful silk wallpaper, which can be recognized as the audience is introduced to the choir, in a luscious gold room shortly before one of Cardinal Lawrence’s first speeches (via Condé Nast).
Why Conclave Did Not Film At The Vatican
Director Edward Berger Had A Momentous Task In Replicating The Vatican
The Vatican does not permit filming anywhere on its grounds, in an effort to preserve the sacred nature of the site. As Conclave was unable to gain access to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, Berger and others had to innovate in their methods to recreate the immensely secure location. Additionally, pH๏τography is prohibited in the Sistine Chapel, as flash pH๏τography can cause irreparable and detrimental damage to artwork. That being said, screenwriter Peter Straughan revealed that Conclave creators were given a private tour of the Vatican, and “they were quite welcoming, actually, [and] quite helpful.” (via USA Today Entertainment)
Conclave earned eight Academy Award nominations, including major categories such as Best Picture and Best Performance.
These restrictions only serve to make the production design for Conclave even more impressive. It is a remarkable feat to seamlessly interlace a number of different locations, all while accurately depicting, arguably, what is the most distinguished location in the world. Yet there is tough compeтιтion, and Conclave is undoubtedly the underdog to win the Academy Award for Best Production Design at the 97th annual ceremony in March 2025.
Source: Town & Country, Galerie, TheWrap, Focus Features, Condé Nast, USA Today Entertainment
