Film · 2023 · Ridley Scott
Napoleon filming locations in Malta
Ridley Scott's Napoleon (2023), starring Joaquin Phoenix, filmed in Malta for three weeks from May 2022, turning Fort Ricasoli into the 1793 Siege of Toulon and using Mdina's streets and squares for Paris and Elba.
Where was Napoleon filmed in Malta?
Ridley Scott returned to Malta, where he had shot Gladiator, for about three weeks in May 2022. Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara was transformed into the British-held citadel at Toulon for the 1793 siege that made Napoleon's name. Mdina's streets, squares and palaces were used for both 19th-century Paris and the island of Elba, including St Paul's Square in front of the cathedral. A travel guide also places the Elba exile scenes at Għajn Tuffieħa Tower and the old-town Toulon scenes in Valletta.
Mdina
St Paul's Square and Cathedral
St Paul's Square, in front of Mdina's Baroque cathedral, was used by Ridley Scott for Napoleon (2023), filmed in Malta in May 2022, with Napoleon and Joséphine seen under the cathedral's entrance.
Napoleon
Għajn Tuffieħa
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, a red-sand beach on Malta's north-west coast next to Golden Bay, is where Achilles and the Greek army land on the Trojan shore in Troy (2004), filmed in Malta in spring 2003.
TroyNapoleon
Kalkara
Fort Ricasoli
Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara was ancient Rome in Gladiator (2000) and Gladiator II (2024), and its main gate was the Red Keep in Game of Thrones season 1.
GladiatorGladiator IIGame of ThronesNapoleonAssassin's CreedAgoraDas Boot
Scene by scene
- NapoleonThe church scene after the prisoners are released, and Napoleon and Joséphine under the cathedral entrance facing St Paul's Square — played 19th-century France (Paris)St Paul's Square and Cathedral →
- NapoleonGħajn Tuffieħa Tower, on the headland above the bay, stood in for Napoleon's exile on the island of Elba — played ElbaGħajn Tuffieħa Bay →
- NapoleonThe fort, extended with CGI, was transformed into the British-held citadel for the Siege of Toulon, Napoleon's first victory — played Toulon, 1793Fort Ricasoli →
See it on the map
The exact spot and camera angle for every Napoleon scene in Malta.