Naman Shrestha
From the minds of Leonardo Fasoli and Stefano Sollima, Netflix’s ‘The Monster of Florence’ is based on true events surrounding one of the most notorious Italian serial killers in recent history. Originally titled ‘Il Mostro,’ the Italian biographical crime series revolves around Florence Monster, who targets and kills couples over a span of nearly two decades in the 1960s and 1970s with a .22 caliber Beretta. While the entire nation has been terrorized for several years, a team of competent detectives tries its best to get to the bottom of the double homicides and apprehend the serial killer. Set in the 1960s and 1970s in Italy, the suspenseful thriller drama is brought to life not only by the stellar performances from a talented ensemble cast comprising Marco Bullitta, Valentino Mannias, Francesca Olia, Liliana Bottone, and Giacomo Fadda, but also by the apt backdrops to represent the eerie and dark years in Italian history, transporting the viewers back in time.
The Monster of Florence Filming Locations
‘The Monster of Florence’ was filmed in its entirety in Italy, particularly in Tuscany and Lazio. According to reports, principal photography for the inaugural iteration of the crime series got underway in October 2023 and went on for about four months before wrapping up in February 2024. Claudia Baralla, who portrays Vitalia, opened up about her experience of shooting the series, stating, “Thank you @stefanosollima – undisputed maestro, wonderful person, it was an honour and a privilege. Thank you @michiamanocaste @lauramuc1 @luciagioielli_ for your trust. Thanks to the whole crew, I carry you in my heart. And thank you to my wonderful companions and travelling companions @antonio_tintis @valentino_mannias @giacomo.t.fadda and to all colleagues – you are wonderful. It was all super!”
Tuscany, Italy
Many pivotal sequences for ‘The Monster of Florence’ were reportedly lensed across the region of Tuscany, which is situated in central Italy. Since the story primarily unfolds in and around Florence, the capital of Tuscany, the production team set up camp on location, adding a layer of authenticity to the biographical tale of terror. In the Metropolitan City of Florence, many streets and neighborhoods were redressed to represent the area in the 1960s and 1970s, including Piazza di San Firenze, Via San Gallo, Via Ghibellina, Viale della Giovine Italia, Via delle Conce, Via dell’Anguillara, Via dei Gondi, and Via dei Leoni. In addition, the areas between Via dei Conciatori, Piazza degli Unganelli, Piazza della Signoria, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Via della Torre del Gallo, Via dei Rustici, and Via del Proconsolo also served as prominent filming destinations for the series.
The cast and crew members were also spotted taping several important scenes in and around the Cimitero di Trespiano at Via Bolognese, 449, in Florence. In the municipality of Signa, Piazza Cavour hosted the production of the Locci-Lo Bianco crime scene as the area was redressed to appear as Signa five decades ago. Numerous key portions were also shot in the village of Mercatale Val Di Pesa, the municipalities of Campi Bisenzio and San Casciano in Val di Pesa, and the town of Bassano Romano. As per reports, the filming unit of ‘The Monster of Florence’ also shot a few portions in the municipality of Carmignano and the village of Artimino in the province of Prato.
Lazio, Italy
As part of the film’s production process, the cast and crew of ‘The Monster of Florence’ also visited the region of Lazio in west-central Italy. Several locations in the region were utilized to film key sequences. To be particular, the former Province of Rome, now a part of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, also served as a shooting site to depict the exploits of the titular serial killer. In addition, filming took place in a couple of spots within the municipality of Fiumicino, particularly in the hamlet of Testa di Lepre (Hare’s Head), which is nestled on a hill.
Sometime in January 2024, the team ventured into the northern part of the Lazio region and set up camp in the serene commune of Ronciglione in the province of Viterbo. According to reports, the shooting in the area attracted attention from locals since a portion of the filming was carried out on the streets, likely transforming them into a bustling set with production equipment and vehicles. Throughout the course of filming, the presence of over 100 crew members, as well as 100 extras, generated a sense of excitement and curiosity among the locals, as it showcased the natural landscape, architectural variety, and vibrant cultural life of the region.
Located in the Cimini Mountains near Lake Vico, Ronciglione boasts breathtaking scenery courtesy of its rustic countryside surroundings, embellished with structures featuring Baroque and Renaissance architecture. All of these, along with the cobbledstone streets, historic piazzas, and other structures, proved ideal for creating an atmosphere that complements the setting of ‘The Monster of Florence.’ Over the years, it has played a role in painting the visual canvases of several movies and shows, including ‘The Inglorious Bastards,’ ‘Romanzo Criminale,’ ‘April Captains,’ ‘Tuscan Passion,’ ‘Agony,’ and ‘Silk.’
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