The real-life locations of Fantaghirò, where the 1990s cult fairy tale was filmed.

In the 1990s, Fantaghirò captivated entire generations with the adventures of a courageous princess, filled with magic, terrifying enemies, and impossible love stories. The Italian miniseries, inspired by the Tuscan folk tale " Fanta-Ghirò, Persona Bella ," created a unique fantasy world thanks not only to its script and characters, but also to the breathtaking locations where it was filmed.

From the Czech Republic to Slovakia, passing through Cuba and Thailand, each set contributed to creating the fairytale atmosphere that made the saga famous.

The series draws inspiration from the traditional Tuscan fairy tale , in which a young princess demonstrates courage and intelligence by facing impossible odds and winning the love of an enemy king, bringing peace between two kingdoms. In Lamberto Bava 's 1991 adaptation, Fantaghirò becomes a modern warrior: independent, bold, and capable of falling in love with Romualdo regardless of her gender.

The films chronicle her battles against dark forces, evil witches, and fantastical creatures, in a world that blends magic, romance, and adventure.

Although much of the filming took place abroad, the production, costumes, and production design are entirely Italian. Thanks to the combination of natural sets, fairytale castles, and exotic locations, Fantaghirò has managed to create an evocative and timeless world, capable of still captivating those who loved it in the 1990s.

For Fantaghirò 4 , some scenes were filmed in Thailand , specifically in the ancient museum city of Samut Prakan (Mueang Boran), about 30km southeast of Bangkok. The temples and oriental architecture helped recreate the kingdom of King Tohor , where Fantaghirò travels to stop evil. The exotic atmospheres of the tropical landscapes and historical buildings provided a perfect backdrop for a fantasy story with adventurous and mysterious tones, giving viewers the feeling of entering a distant and enchanted world.

The fifth film in the saga, Fantaghirò 5 , was primarily set in Cuba , chosen for its natural beauty and tropical landscapes, but also for economic reasons. Director Lamberto Bava explained: " We chose Cuba to keep costs down and give the series a completely different setting. There's an extraordinary film school here, with trained technicians and skilled labor. Of course, the bureaucracy slows everything down a bit, but in Cuba, money alone doesn't buy anything ."

This is where the flying galleon of the evil Nameless and his crew of plant-like Arcimboldi lands. The most spectacular scenes, including the child-eating ogre's galleon, were filmed between beaches, caves, and the Havana Metropolitan Forest Park . In this chapter, Fantaghirò encounters the Memosughe, creatures that suck out her feelings, and must rebuild her life in a parallel world, far from her love for Romualdo and her family.

In the forests of Havana, where the first Tarzan with Johnny Weissmuller was once filmed, a full-scale pirate galleon was built, while the RIV television studios, located in the former Fox offices, were transformed into a world of magic, witches and colored smoke thanks to the special effects of Sergio Stivaletti .

Despite the exotic settings, Eastern European castles remain the heart of the saga. Bouzov Castle , in the Czech Republic, was chosen as Fantaghirò's home. Its Gothic-Renaissance architecture gave the scenes a fairytale atmosphere , enhanced by the famous well in which the princess is isolated from her sisters.

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