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"The Godfather's" Sicily, a movie stage trip
The Godfather is one of the most important trilogies in the history of cinema. Film director Francis Ford Coppola masterfully brought Mario Puzo's novel to the big screen, with Al Pacino and Marlon Brando as the two iconic actors of the saga who brought Vito and Michael Corleone to life.
You may travel to Sicily in the footsteps of these films, visiting the island through some of its locations in a luxurious literary and film route that takes us back to the history and traditions of this island, colonized by the Greeks, Romans, and Normans; a territory that was part of the Crown of Aragon, occupied by the Nazis during World War II and cradle of the "Cosa Nostra" or Italian Mafia.
You begin your journey at the end of the story, on the steps of Palermo's Teatro Massimo, with that heartbroken cry of mourning from Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) when he discovers that his daughter Mary (played by Sofia Coppola) has been murdered. Palermo's Teatro Massimo, inaugurated in 1897, was the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe, behind the Opéra de Paris and the Vienna Opera. From its terrace, you can enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.
Final scene of "The Godfather" trilogy on the steps of the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
The Teatro Massimo in Palermo, inaugurated in 1897, was the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe.
Located in the north of the island, on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Palermo is the capital of Sicily and a city that has preserved the testimony of the culture of all its conquerors: Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards or Austrians, all of them left their mark on the city. To discover it is to walk through its churches, its sumptuous palaces, its cobbled streets, its markets and taste its traditional "Pasta con le sarde" (pasta with sardines), the "Arancini" (croquettes stuffed with rice), or the dessert par excellence, the "Cannoli", crispy fried puff pastry cones stuffed with ricotta.
You can explore Palermo and its surroundings at the exclusive hotel Villa Igiea. This villa was bought in 1899 by the influential Florio dynasty, then one of the most important families in Sicily who decided to create a luxury hotel that, during the first decade of the 20th century, housed magnates, artists, and even members of European royalty of the time such as King Edward VII of England, Queen Alexandra, Princess Victoria, and Tsarina Maria Feodorovna who disembarked in 1907 on the iconic Victoria & Albert ship to have lunch at Villa Igiea and explore the many attractions of Palermo.
- This villa that opened as a hotel in the early 20th century was completely renovated two years ago. —
- An exclusive and refreshing alternative to visit the Palermo area and surroundings. —
- The name of the village was chosen in honor of Hygeia, goddess of health and hygiene. —
- Photos: Rocco Forte Hotels.
Throughout the world wars, Villa Igiea was requisitioned and used as a hospital. However, once peace was restored, Villa Igiea once again became, from the 1950s onwards, a sanctuary of luxury and glamour. This hotel was completely renovated in 2019 and reopened its doors in 2021.
Villa Igiea was purchased in 1899 by the influential Florio dynasty, then one of the most important families in Sicily. Photo: Rocco Forte Hotels.
"Every man has his own destiny"
Vito Corleone
Vito Corleone
About 57 kilometers from Palermo, you discover the town of Corleone, where Vito Corleone was born. Although Coppola was unable to shoot any scenes in that town due to clearance issues, it is worth visiting this town that boasts a total of 101 churches, each with unique styles that denote the presence of Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and Normans throughout its history. Near Corleone, in the town of Salemi, a visit to the Mafia Museum is a must to put into context all the imagery that Puzo captured in his novel.
You continue your journey to the southeast coast of the island, on the Ionian Sea. There, in the train station of Taormina, Coppola filmed the meeting between Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and his ex-wife Kay (played by Diane Keaton), although they changed the name of the station in the film to Bagheria.
Al Pacino and Diane Keaton in a scene of the film shot at the Taormina train station.
Taormina station was another of the locations used by Coppola in the film "The Godfather".
For the past two centuries, artists, actors, and trendsetters have been drawn to enchanting Taormina. No wonder: with its rustic charm, magical views, and the magnetic forces of Etna permeating the air, this is one of the most enchanting places on earth. From the Grand Hotel Timeo, you can discover some of the most interesting places in that part of Sicily. Next to the hotel, you learn about the imposing Greek theater that offers unique and wonderful sunsets.
You can tour the surrounding hills aboard a vintage Fiat 500 and visit towns that appear in the movie "The Godfather" as Savoca, with the Church of Santa Luzia, scene of the wedding between Michael Corleone and Apolloni Vitelli, or its famous Bar Vitelli, where the wedding party is held. In nearby Forza D'Agrò, the Church of the Holy Trinity appears when Michael visits Corleone for the first time. Also, in that town, is the family home where Don Vito was born (remember that Coppola could not film all this in the town of Corleone itself, so it was necessary to look for other locations).
A fun experience: touring the villages of The Godfather aboard a vintage Fiat 500. Photo: Belmond.
A must stop for an aperitif at the famous Bar Vitelli, in the town of Savoca.
From Taormina, you can discover the island through exclusive experiences such as flying over Etna by helicopter, taking an Italian cooking class, sailing to the Aeolian Islands, discovering the best wines and vineyards of the area through a private tasting, or pampering yourself at the Spa.
The view from the hotel over the bay of Taormina is breathtaking.
The Grand Hotel Timeo is located on the top of a hill, very close to the city of Taormina.
A unique and exclusive way to discover one of the most beautiful coasts of Sicily.
History and the past are present throughout the hotel.
Gastronomy is one of the "must" of the hotel, which offers a reinvention of traditional dishes made with local ingredients. Photos: Belmond.
A few kilometers from Taormina, you end your route at the photogenic Castello degli Schiavi, near the town of Fiumefreddo, a 17th-century architectural treasure and former residence of Coppola's Corleone family and the place where Don Vito dies.
The Castello degli Schiavi is the place where Don Vito dies in the movie.
Poster of the first "The Godfather" movie, which won 3 Oscars in 1973.
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