In brief
- In Star Wars Episode I (1999) and Episode II (2002) it is Queen Amidala’s palace on Naboo.
- The scenes were shot in the Upper Vestibule, on the Grand Staircase and in the entrance gallery.
- The palace stood in for the Vatican in Mission: Impossible III, Angels & Demons, The Two Popes and Conclave.
- The filming locations are part of the standard visit to the Royal Apartments.
The palace on Naboo
In the Star Wars saga the planet Naboo is ruled by the young Queen Amidala. For the interiors of her palace George Lucas chose the Royal Palace of Caserta: you can recognise the Upper Vestibule, the Grand Staircase and the entrance gallery in Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) and Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002).
The Grand Staircase has 116 steps of Trapani marble and is guarded by two marble lions. The Upper Vestibule, at the top of the staircase, is where the palace’s lines of sight meet: this is where the Reggia becomes a science-fiction palace without any need for sets.
The palace as the Vatican
The palace’s halls have stood in for the Vatican several times:
- Mission: Impossible III (2006)
- Angels & Demons (2009)
- The Two Popes (2019)
- Conclave (2024)
Other films and series
Other productions filmed at the palace include Ciao, Professore! (Io speriamo che me la cavo, 1992), Martin Eden (2019), the series The Great (2020) and the fourth season of My Brilliant Friend (2024).
Visiting the filming locations
There is no separate film tour: the staircase, the vestibule and the entrance gallery are on the standard Royal Apartments route, included in the €18 full ticket. Go in at opening time, 8:30, when the staircase is almost empty and easier to photograph. Prices and hours are on the tickets and opening hours page.
From Royal Palace B&B
The B&B is 1.4 km from the palace’s main entrance and a short walk from the park’s Corso Giannone entrance: close enough to reach the Grand Staircase before the tour groups.
Frequently asked questions
Which Star Wars films feature the Royal Palace of Caserta?
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) and Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), where it provides the interiors of the royal palace on Naboo.
Can I see the Star Wars locations?
Yes. The Grand Staircase and the Upper Vestibule are on the Royal Apartments route, included in the full ticket.
Sources
This is not the official website of the Reggia: tickets are sold through reggiadicaserta.cultura.gov.it.
