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Lake Como

The area around Lake Como in northern Italy is a very scenic place. So scenic that it was used as the setting for Naboo in Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

We took a Star Wars tour of the area, visiting some of the filming locations.

Lake Como
Lake Como

You pass this old farm house on the way to the picnic meadow.

Old farm house
Farm house on the way to a meadow

This is the meadows where Anakin and Padme had a picnic. The mountains in the background were digitally enhanced in the movie.

Picnic location
Anakin and Padme's picnic spot

Today, the field contains cows instead of large Naboo Shaaks.

Fields
Naboo Shaaks field (with cows instead of shaaks)

We then went back to the lake shore.

Lake Como

In a park, there is a spot that was filmed but never made it into the final movie. The scene was supposed to show Anakin and Padme leaving for Tatooine.

Landing

This building was used by the film crew as their headquarters. Although there were many months of preparation beforehand, the film crew were here between 28 August 2000 to 2 September 2000.

Studio Building
Building used as the headquarters for the film crew

This beautiful villa is located on a peninsula and the most beautiful way to visit it is to arrive by boat.

Villa del Balbianello
Approaching Villa del Balbianello by boat

The boat arrives at this dock.

Dock
The dock at the Villa del Balbianello
Lake views
Overlooking the lake

The Villa del Balbianello has spectacular views of the lake. At the time of filming, these pots contained yellow flowers. But they were replaced with the red flowers that you see in the movie.

Lake views

Here is where Anakin and Padme have a long talk.

Garden terrace

The terrace was also filmed from the other side where they kissed.

Garden terrace

Here Padme arrived by boat.

Lake wall

The Loggia (or Lodge) is the most iconic building at the Villa del Balbianello. It appeared in the movie Casino Royale, where James Bond was recuperating.

Loggia

The creeper figs have been tended for many years.

Creeper figs
Creeper figs

Inside the western wing is a small room. This room was filmed as Padme’s bedroom, but those scenes never made it into the movie (but they can be seen on the DVD extras).

Western wing of the Loggia
The church

This side of the building was filmed as a part of Padme’s parent’s home. Again, this scene never made it into the movie, but the Naberrie family home can be seen in the DVD extras.

Padme's parent's house

The wedding scene from the end of Episode II was filmed here.

Gardens

And to end with the obligatory photo at the Villa del Balbianello.

Hoylen at the Villa del Balbianello
Contemplating the fate of the universe

Travel tips

If you want to visit, don’t come in winter when the Villa del Balbianello is closed. That’s what happened when I was previously in Italy. The villa is a higlight of the area, so you don’t want to miss it.

The Star Wars tour was conducted by Gigliola Foglia, a professional guide who worked with the film crew when they were there. I highy recommend her tour, but I don’t know if she is still running them (it has been over 10 years) nor how to contact her. Alternatively, Star Wars fan Mark Dermul has written a book on visiting the area.

See also

Movies and show photos
Other filming locations and exhibitions for movies and television shows.

External links

Now to Naboo
Book by Mark Dermul (who visited the area one month before I did).