For anyone lucky enough to visit Rome, there are no shortage of "must see" places to visit. For most people that would include the Vatican, the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and especially for Fellini fans, the Trevi Fountain which was made even more famous than it already was thanks to an iconic scene in "La Dolce Vita". But for the hard core Fellini fans, the first and most important stop would be Cinecitta. It's only an hour from the Vatican and for Fellini lovers it is our Vatican. Consider this, just about all of Fellini's classic films were filmed in Studio 5...including the recreation of the Via Veneto strip from "La Dolce Vita".
At great place for new Fellini fans to experience Cinecitta would be through his meta movie "Intervista". You'll be able to explore the ins and outs of Cinecitta as the maestro turns the camera on himself and the rest of his surroundings. His legacy lived on there long after he passed with his office remaining intact and many artifacts from his films can be found on the backlot including the Venusian Statue (from the movie: "Casanova") which greets you when you first walk onto the lot.
In 2011, I was fortunate enough to be given a private tour of Cinecitta (including Fellini's office which remains as it was when he was last there.) It was an overwhelming experience especially when I found myself face to face with the Jesus Christ statue that was so famously featured in the opening of shot of "La Done Vita".
You can see my personal photos in the gallery below.
From top left to right;
Classic, latter day Fellini protract hanging in his office.
Fellini's iconic fedora in glass case.
Glass display of clapper boards from every one of Fellini's films.
Fellini's portable Olivetti typewriter that he always traveled with.
The Christ statue featured prominently in the opening of "La Dolce Vita"
Fellini's second home..Studio 5 at Cinecitta.
Vinnie standing in front of Studio 5.
Vinnie standing in front of the Venusia Statue from "Fellini's Casanova."
Christ statue as seen in "La Dolce Vita"
Venusia Statue as seen in "Fellini's Casanova"