Naman Shrestha
Created by Ivano Fachin, Giovanni Galassi, and Tommaso Matano, Netflix’s ‘Minerva Academy’ is an Italian teen drama series that follows a group of teenagers at Minerva Military High School — Salvo, Vincenzo, and Camilla. While Salvo’s main purpose in joining the school is to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s disappearance, Vincenzo is trying to follow in his father’s footsteps and make a name for himself in the military. As for Milan-based Camilla, she has reluctantly joined the military school as his father wants her to change for the better.
The narrative also sheds a spotlight on the roles of adults who influence teenagers’ lives, including officers, teachers, and parents, who deal with issues of their own. At school, Salvo, Vincenzo, and Camilla must navigate their academics and friendships together as they pursue their respective objectives. Originally titled ‘Minerva – La Scuola,’ the mystery thriller series is set in the fictional eponymous military high school in Naples, Italy, which adds more depth to the visual narrative.
Minerva Academy Filming Locations
Production on ‘Minerva Academy’ takes place entirely in Italy, primarily in the Metropolitan City of Naples. From what we can tell, principal photography for the debut season of the Italian series commenced in March 2025 under the working title ‘La Scuola’ and continued for about four months before concluding in July of the same year. As the premiere approached, Luigi Zeno, who portrays Leonardo, took to social media and shared a few words of appreciation and gratitude. He stated (translated), “Thanks to the whole Netflix team, to Picomedia, to director Ivan Silvestrini and to every person from the cast and crew who made this series come to life. Working with you was an experience that I will carry with me.”
Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
A major chunk of ‘Minerva Academy’ was reportedly lensed across the Metropolitan City of Naples, which is situated in Italy’s Campania region. First and foremost, the exteriors and interiors of the Royal Palace of Portici, located between the slopes of Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples in the city and comune of Portici, doubled as the fictional Minerva Military High School in the Netflix production. Also known as Reggia di Portici, the former royal palace is surrounded by the lush green Botanical Garden of Portici. Earlier, it was a luxurious summer residence, but now it houses the MUSA – Museums of Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Naples “Federico II.”
In addition, a few scenes depicting the fictional high school were also taped at Villa Campolieto at Corso Resina, 283, in the city of Ercolano. The cast and crew members were also spotted taping several pivotal sequences in and around the Napoli Piazza Garibaldi railway station near the Piazza Garibaldi square. To shoot key outdoor scenes, the filming unit also took over the area around Piazza del Gesù Nuovo and the Capodimonte neighborhood. From the looks of it, they recorded crucial scenes at Italstage S.R.L. at Via Tommaso Fasano, 6, in the city of Naples.
At the Giffoni Film Festival in July 2026, the producer Roberto Sessa shared a few words about the significance of the Metropolitan City of Naples as the filming location. He said, “This extraordinary place is a protagonist in its own right, and filming here was an absolute privilege.” The director, Ivan Silverstrini, also added, “Filming in a place like this is extraordinary. Everywhere you look, you can feel its rich and ancient history. These young people grow up almost outside of time, and through their experiences they offer audiences a way to reflect on our own world through complex and layered situations.”
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