Where was La Dolce Villa filmed? All the filming locations in Netflix's new rom-com
Netflix is never short of a new trashy movie to indulge in and La Dolce Villa has filled the gap for February, offering both wanderlust and the desire to renovate or redecorate in equal measure. Centred around the story of Olivia, who buys a house for one euro in Tuscany and then sets about turning it into a beautiful place to live, the film offers stunning locations and ample decorating ideas. It's a simple conceit, and one that's already pushed the film to number three on Netflix's ‘most watched’ ranking. It's also based on a real phenomenon. The 'one euro house' initiative in Italy began around 2008 when the mayor of Salemi, Sicily, started offering dilapidated properties in the town centre for one euro in a bid to revive the area after an earthquake and financial difficulty, sparking a trend across various areas of Italy to use this strategy to attract new residents to underpopulated regions.
Unfortunately, the picturesque town of Montezara (which provided the backdrop for the evolving romances and renovations in the film) is fictional, but several excellent locations stood in for the town, many of which you can visit around Italy. Plus, and unlike many other drool-worthy filming destinations (see, for example, the new The White Lotus locations in Thailand), you can affordably retrace Olivia's steps by visiting, staying at and even buying some of the romantic, rural spots used as locations on the film. Sure, the renovation might cost you a little more than a euro, but we'll be there to advise along the way.
La Dolce Villa or Il Torrino dei Gelsi, Lazio
The outside of Olivia's new Italian pad was filmed at a destination in Lazio (one of the twenty regions of Italy), about half an hour outside of Rome. The real house is called Il Torrino dei Gelsi, and currently functions an agriturismo and farmhouse. An agriturismo is a wonderful Italian concept – a sort of homestead, B and B hybrid with a beautiful spread of local produce for breakfast and dinner. This particular one is nestled in a 10-hectare estate surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, olive trees and rolling hills, with a main farmhouse and adjoining tower dating back to the early 12th century. Inside, the house has undergone a careful restoration to maintain the original stone walls, beams and terracotta flooring. The property has three lovely apartments that are available to rent; the perfect kick-off for your La Dolce Villa tour.
Cinecittá Studios, Rome
Cinecittá Studios in Rome was used to shoot much of the interior locations in La Dolce Villa, which were built on a soundstage. Cinecittá Studios has played host to a myriad of shows, with epic recreations of the Colosseum, the Forum and other locations being used in a long line of Roman epics for the last 80 years.
San Quirico D'orcia, Tuscany
This quaint town in Tuscany only has 2,500 residents. Located in the Province of Siena, the walled medieval town is surrounded by olive trees and typical Tuscan hills. It provided lots of pretty exteriors for La Dolce Villa. “We chose these places because they just had the perfect look and scale for what we envisioned as Montezara," director Mark Waters told Tudum. “It could not be as big as a Siena or even a Montepulciano, but big enough that there could be a central square and restaurants.”
Trastevere Railway Station, Rome
The Roma Trastevere Railway Station is in the trendy student area of Rome, and features as the backdrop when Eric, Olivia's concerned father, arrives in the city to scope out Olivia's project.
San Gregario da Sassola, Lazio
Tuscany is known for its verdant, hilly landscape, which provides a rooting backdrop for this film. Though they had lots to choose from, the team opted to shoot in and around another small town, this time San Gregorio da Sassola in the east of Lazio. The town is only small (with 1600 permanent residents), but it packs a punch, with dramatic castellated buildings and medieval architecture.
