Procida guide · Film and history
Procida in film and books
Corricella was a southern fishing village in “Il Postino” and the Mongibello of “The Talented Mr. Ripley”; Palazzo d'Avalos was a real prison, on screen too. You can see all the locations by e-bike in a morning.
Updated on
“Il Postino” (1994)
Michael Radford's film with Massimo Troisi and Philippe Noiret was largely shot in Procida. Pozzo Vecchio beach is where Mario and Neruda take their walks; the film's bar is at Marina di Corricella; in Piazza dei Martiri you will recognise the outside of the post office, and Via San Rocco is the village street during the political rally.
Read the guide: How to get to Pozzo Vecchio →
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999)
In Anthony Minghella's film with Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, Corricella becomes Mongibello, the seaside village where Dickie Greenleaf lives. Among its streets you can spot Via San Rocco, where Dickie rides past on his scooter.
Read the guide: How to get to Corricella →
“Arturo's Island”: the novel and the film
In 1957 Elsa Morante set “Arturo's Island” in Procida: the story of a boy growing up on the island in the myth of his absent father. The island later named a literary prize after her. In 1962 Damiano Damiani turned it into a film, winner of the Golden Shell at San Sebastián, in which Palazzo d'Avalos also appears.
Read the guide: How to get to Terra Murata →
The prison of Palazzo d'Avalos
From 1830 to 1988 Palazzo d'Avalos, at Terra Murata, was a prison. In 1971 Nanni Loy shot the prison scenes of “Detenuto in attesa di giudizio” there, with one of Alberto Sordi's most dramatic roles. Today the palace can be visited on the town council's guided tours.
Read the guide: Things to see →
Procida in books
Procida already appears in Boccaccio's Decameron (fifth day, sixth story). In the 19th century Alphonse de Lamartine set his novel “Graziella” here, and films with Alain Delon were also shot on the island, such as “Purple Noon”.
The film sets from the port
From: RentEMZ, Via Roma 120, Marina Grande
-
Corricella (Il Postino, Mr. Ripley)walk down to the harbour1.9 km🛵 10 min🚲 10 min
-
Terra Murata and Palazzo d'Avalosthe last stretch is uphill2.4 km🛵 10 min🚲 15 min
-
Pozzo Vecchio beach (Il Postino)park by the cemetery, then take the steps1.8 km🛵 10 min🚲 10 min
Approximate road times from Via Roma 120, Marina Grande; at Corricella and Pozzo Vecchio the last stretch is on foot.
A film-set tour
- In one morning: Terra Murata and Palazzo d'Avalos, then on foot down to Corricella, then by e-bike to Pozzo Vecchio.
- In June the Procida Film Festival also runs a tour of the “Il Postino” locations.
- For Palazzo d'Avalos, check opening times and guided tours before you go.
- Vehicles and luggage go back to the port by 7pm.
Rent at the port, we keep your luggage — free
RentEMZ is at Via Roma 120, a short walk from the Marina Grande landing. Step off the ferry, leave your bags and set off by e-bike or electric scooter: pick them up by 7pm and you are already at the pier.
- E-bikes from €20 a day
- Electric scooters from €40 a day
- Storage free when you rent · without a rental €5 per bag per day
- Open every day, 9am–7pm
More from the guide
