Where was Conclave filmed? All filming locations explored
The film Conclave, a political thriller helmed by Edward Berger, showcases a complex Vatican drama on screen. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2024, had a limited theatrical release on October 25, 2024, a wider release on November 1, 2024, and began streaming on Peacock on December 13, 2024. Inspired by Robert Harris’s novel bearing the same title, the narrative explores the process of electing a new pope after the unexpected demise of the current one.
Conclave's atmosphere is greatly influenced by its setting, which highlights themes of secrecy and power conflicts. Although the plot focuses on Vatican City, a large portion of the filming occurred elsewhere. Rather, numerous sites were utilized to emulate the Vatican’s splendor and intrigue.
Conclave was shot in multiple locations throughout Europe. The production crew employed historic locations, architectural features, and intricate set designs to replicate the Papal atmosphere.
Although key sites such as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica are crucial to the story, filming limitations demanded the use of replicas and different sites. Here’s an in-depth examination of the filming locations and how these sites enhanced the movie's representation of the Vatican.
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Filming locations of Conclave
Cinecittà Studios, Rome
Cinecittà Studios in Rome served as the primary location for many of the indoor scenes in Conclave. The studio, a hub for Italian and international cinema, is renowned for hosting major productions such as The Godfather and Gladiator. For Conclave, its controlled environment allowed for intricate set construction to replicate the Vatican's sacred spaces with precision.
Production designer Suzie Davies shared insights into the creative process in an interview with Town & Country, stating:
"Cinecittà’s facilities provided the perfect backdrop for recreating Vatican interiors, particularly the Sistine Chapel and Apostolic Palace."
She further explained how the team relied on historical records, detailed blueprints, and photographs to design these sets.
"We had to ensure every element, from the frescoes to the architectural proportions, felt authentic to the audience," she said.
The meticulous attention to detail at Cinecittà contributed significantly to the Conclave's immersive atmosphere.
Vatican City
Although filming within Vatican City is not allowed, the crew managed to obtain some exterior footage of St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. These visuals were smoothly combined with additional filmed locations and sets to improve the authenticity of the Conclave.
According to Suzie Davies, in her interview with Town & Country, published on October 26, 2024, drone imagery and telephoto photography were said to have been utilized to showcase the hustle of these renowned sites, enhancing the Conclave's depiction of life in the Vatican.
Farnese Palace, Rome
The Farnese Palace, a historic building located in central Rome, was used for scenes requiring an authentic Renaissance-style interior. Known for its intricate frescoes and grand halls, the palace provided a fitting location to depict the opulent and historic atmosphere of Vatican interiors. Its richly decorated ceilings and timeless architecture added depth and texture to several key scenes, further immersing the audience in the film’s world.
Caserta Palace, Italy
The Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Italy, was used prominently in the film. Known for its grand Baroque architecture and expansive interiors, the palace provided a location for replicating the grandeur of the Vatican. The palace’s vast corridors, intricate frescoes, and majestic rooms served as a substitute for several key Vatican scenes, lending an authentic atmosphere to the narrative.
Studio Babelsberg, Germany
Some sequences were filmed at Studio Babelsberg in Germany. Known for its advanced facilities and expertise in historical recreations, this studio enabled the production team to build highly detailed sets that replicated the Vatican’s restricted areas. Using modern technology and precision craftsmanship, Studio Babelsberg’s contributions were instrumental in bringing the inaccessible parts of the Vatican to life on screen.
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Production design
The production’s attention to detail in recreating Vatican interiors was a collaborative effort involving in-depth research and creative set design. In the interview with Town & Country, Suzie Davies, the production designer for Conclave, discussed the extensive work involved in creating the film's sets. She explained:
"We referenced a combination of archival images, detailed floor plans, and on-site sketches to replicate the Sistine Chapel and other key Vatican interiors."
She further shared:
"One of the biggest challenges was recreating the grandeur without having direct access to the actual spaces, which required immense creativity and precision from the entire team."
This interview, published on October 26, 2024, highlights the intricate efforts that went into production design.
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Conclave captures the intrigue and grandeur of the Vatican through a combination of real-world locations and carefully constructed sets. From the historic streets of Girona to the precision of Cinecittà Studios, each filming site contributed to bringing this complex narrative to life.
Conclave, the 2024 papal thriller directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, is currently available for streaming on Peacock.
