Savoca and Forza d'Agrò are the two most famous filming locations of The Godfather movies in Sicily. These small medieval villages were featured in some of the most iconic scenes in the movie, such as Michael Corleone's first meeting with Apollonia's father, and the wedding. Read on to discover more about these famous filming locations!
Even though The Godfather movie is set in Corleone, a town in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the filming actually took place in other locations. The town of Corleone looked too modern, so Francis Ford Coppola chose other small Sicilian villages that were still untouched by modernization. The Godfather's Sicily locations included the villages of Savoca and Forza d'Agro.
3 Stunning Filming Locations of The Godfather Movie in Sicily
1. Bar Vitelli in Savoca
Bar Vitelli was the filming location of several scenes from the first Godfather movie by Francis Ford Coppola. Michael Corleone fled New York City after starting a mafia war between Italian mob families there. He arrives in Sicily to take refuge. He falls in love with a Sicilian woman, Apollonia Vitelli. The Bar Vitelli is where Michael Corleone ( Al Pacino) meets the cafe owner, the father of his future wife Apollonia. Bar Vitelli is also the place where Michael Corleone asks Apollonia's father for his permission to marry his daughter.
Bar Vitelli is housed in an 18th century Palazzo Trimarchi, located in the Piazza Fossia, the town's main square. The bar features an outdoor vine-covered terrace from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the areas surrounding Savoca. Bar Vitelli's physical address is Piazza Fossia, 7, 98038 Savoca ME, Italy.
2. Church of San Nicolò in Savoca
It's in the Church of San Nicolò in Savoca that Michael Corleone got married to his Sicilian wife, Apollonia. In the movie, Michael Corleone and his new wife are seen walking from the church to the cheers of the guests at the wedding. This church is clearly visible in the background of the scene.
The church is perched on a panoramic spot, high above, overlooking the Ionian Sea. There are breathtaking views of Sicily all around. The church is located just a short walking distance from the equally famous Bar Vitelli which was the setting of other important scenes in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather movie.
The Church of San Nicolò's physical address: Via S. Nicolò, 4, 98038 Savoca ME, Italy.
3. The church of the Santissima Annunziata (Mother church) in Forza d'Agrò
The church of the Santissima Annunziata is the mother church (Chiesa Madre) of Forza d'Agrò. The church was originally built in the 15th century and was reconstructed at the beginning of the 18th century. The church was built in the Baroque style.
This church was used as a filming location for scenes in The Godfather movies.
Picture Opportunities
Both Savoca and Forza d'Agrò provide excellent picture opportunities. Both villages are very pretty, perched on high hills, overlooking the surrounding areas. You will find beautiful churches and medieval structures in both towns - a perfect setting to get some great pictures of Sicily!
My Son is getting married in Taormina, about 30 minutes away from Bar Vitelli. We are all there for a week so olenty of time for visiting. I can’t wait.
You will enjoy this area so much! I have actually stayed in the town of Castelmola that's located right above Taormina. If you are in Taormina, be sure to visit Castelmola. I wrote an article about it:
What to See in Castelmola - a Hilltop Town above Taormina, Sicily
Absolutely this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve had the privilege of visiting,,
It helps if you have access to a car though as it’s off the beaten track
Hi Julia, I’m so glad I stumbled upon this post. I’m traveling to Rome in March and would love to visit The Godfather film sights like you did. Am I on the right track if I plan of flying from Rome to Palermo. I still have lots of time to research, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask you since you have visited the area. Thanks ahead of time, Theresa