Skip-the-line available Star Wars at the Reggia di Caserta — Naboo Filming Locations
The Bourbon palace served as Queen Amidala's Theed Royal Palace in Episode I and II. Where to find the iconic scenes inside the building.
The Reggia di Caserta played the Theed Royal Palace on Naboo in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) and Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002). Queen Amidala's throne room scenes were shot in the palace's actual throne room; courtyard and garden scenes used the south facade and parterre gardens. This guide is where to find each Star Wars-recognisable space on a regular visit.
The Throne Room
The Bourbon throne room (Sala del Trono) on the upper floor of the palace was used for Queen Amidala's throne room scenes in The Phantom Menace. The room's red walls, gilded ceiling, and chandelier are visible in the film with minimal alteration. The throne itself was added by the film production (the actual Bourbon throne was removed for filming).
Visitors enter the throne room as part of the regular palace interior tour. Allow 5-10 minutes to recognise the space and frame the photo. No filming-specific signage or markers — most visitors don't realise the connection unless they know to look for it. The throne room is also impressive in its own right as Bourbon-era decoration.
The palace courtyard and exterior
The palace's south facade was used for exterior shots of Theed Royal Palace — particularly the scene where Queen Amidala's procession enters at the start of the film. The wide central staircase facing the gardens is the most recognisable backdrop. The arched windows along the south wall feature in multiple establishing shots.
The interior central courtyard — accessed via the main visitor entrance — was used for several walking scenes in The Phantom Menace. The 18th-century covered walkway around the courtyard reads cleanly as 'palace interior' on screen. Most visitors walk through this space as part of the natural entrance route.
The gardens — Attack of the Clones
Attack of the Clones (2002) used the Caserta gardens more extensively. The parterre gardens immediately south of the palace appear in the Anakin-Padmé romantic montage on Naboo. The English Garden — particularly the small Roman temple ruin within it — was used for one of the dialogue scenes. The Diana and Actaeon fountain at the far end of the gardens appears briefly in the establishing landscape shot.
Visitors who watch the films before visiting can identify most of the locations from memory. The garden shuttle bus passes the main filming areas. Photography of the spaces is permitted; flash is prohibited in the palace interior. Most visitors find the film-location overlay enhances the visit without diminishing the building's actual Bourbon heritage.
Frequently asked
Was Star Wars really filmed at the Reggia di Caserta?
Yes — both Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) and Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) used the palace and gardens as the Theed Royal Palace on the planet Naboo. The throne room scenes, palace courtyard, and parterre gardens are all from Caserta.
Can I visit the actual Star Wars filming locations?
Yes — most of the filmed spaces are part of the regular palace interior tour and gardens visit. No separate ticket or special access required. There is no filming-specific signage; visitors who know the films can recognise the spaces.
Which Star Wars film used Caserta?
Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) used the throne room, palace exterior, and central courtyard. Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) used the gardens, particularly the parterre area and English Garden. Episodes III, VII, VIII, IX did not film at Caserta.
Was the throne real or built for filming?
The on-screen throne was added by the film production for The Phantom Menace. The actual Bourbon throne was removed for filming. The room's other decoration (walls, ceiling, chandelier) is genuinely 18th-century.
Did George Lucas come to Caserta?
Reportedly yes — Lucas scouted the location personally before The Phantom Menace and visited during filming. The Bourbon palace's Neoclassical formality fitted his vision of Naboo as a 'sophisticated alien royal civilisation'.
Are there guided tours focused on the film locations?
Occasional special-themed tours for Star Wars fans are offered, particularly around May (Star Wars Day). Check the official Caserta website for upcoming themed events. Regular tours cover the palace in its historical context; the film overlay is generally left to visitors' personal interest.