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“Come to me… Come to me…” say the Nosferatu filming locations that are just desperate for you to visit and share in the spookiness! Robert Eggers, film genius that he is, brought a new Nosferatu adaptation to life with some really bone-chilling shadow-work and eerie sets. From the plague-ridden German town, the folk-tale-haunted village, and the haunting Romanian castle.
If you’re a fan of horror, scary tales, or vampire stories, then taking a tour of Eastern Europe to visit the gothic film’s filming locations is a must! Let’s check them out together.
Romania
The great thing about the Nosferatu filming locations is that most of the shots in the movie were done in real life – which is to say, the locations weren’t built on sets. So you can visit them, and this may just be your reason to travel to Romania!
Because the original story of Nosferatu is an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, which is set in parts in Romania, it makes sense that the recent vampire movie would also feature some of the Eastern European country. Romania is kind of the perfect setting for gothic stories like this – and the hit Netflix show Wednesday – because of the deep and dark forests and all the castles that make up the country.
Corvin Castle
This castle in Transylvania is one of the biggest castles in Europe, and one of Romania’s Seven Wonders – so it’s no surprise that it plays the home of Nosferatu himself. The film frames it as dark and empty, inhabited by the titular vampire and rats, with a snowy courtyard and an intimidating bridge to enter. In real life, however, the castle is quite charming.
It’s a Gothic-Renaissance castle, which fits perfectly with Nosferatu’s overall vibe, and, interestingly enough, Corvin Castle was where Vlad the Impaler was briefly incarcerated. Why is this interesting? Because Dracula is based off of Vlad the Impaler! So this makes Corvin Castle a truly perfect Nosferatu filming location.
Czechia
The rest of Nosferatu is filmed in and around Czechia, specifically Prague. This is where Wisborg is created, as well as many other exterior and interior shots. For all those scenes that were filmed on sets, you’ll find them at a local studio in the city.
Prague, like Romania, has become quite a popular filming location for many Hollywood projects because of its classical architecture and charm which lends itself well to period and gothic pieces.
Pernštejn Castle
Though most of Count Orlok’s home castle was filmed in Corvin Castle, some additional shots were created at Pernštejn Castle. This Czech castle has been attached to the Nosferatu universe – the NCU, if you will – for quite some time now as it featured heavily in the 1979 film of the same title. Perhaps Eggers’ selection of this castle was done as an homage to the previous adaptations of Nosferatu?
This relic is equally as imposing as Corvin Castle, and it has been standing in Czechia since the 13th century.
Rožmitál Castle
Yet another castle, Rožmitál Castle was used in Nosferatu for many of the interiors of Count Orlok’s Transylvanian home. All three castles on this list make up the tapestry of the vampire’s abode, and Rožmitál added some regal touches.
Invalidovna
The Invalidovna complex was an old residential complex in the 1700s and is now a part of Prague’s history. This impressive building is where Count Orlok’s crypt was housed upon his arrival in Wisborg, and this is the place from which he casts his (literal) shadow of dread across the city.
You can visit these historic barracks on many guided tours while on a trip to Prague!
Lake in Czechia
Nosferatu features a visually stunning scene between Lily-Rose Depp and Emma Corrin’s characters in which they walk along a beach laid with crosses as an homage to those dead at sea. This scene is inspired by a scene in the original film, though not an exact remake.
As Czechia is landlocked, finding a shoreline was a little tricky, so this whole beach was actually created on the shores of a lake with sand imported from elsewhere. What looks like the ocean is just a foggy lake!
Prachov Rocks
As Thomas, Nicholas Hoult’s character, makes his perilous and eerie journey to Count Orlok’s Transylvanian home, he walks through an ominous mountain pass. These striking rock formations are real and they’re called the Prachov Rocks. This is a popular hiking spot for many locals and tourists, as the area is surrounded by lush forests and unique rocky structures that extend like pillars into the sky. Just make sure not to stray too far into the darkness lest a blood-thirsty vampire, or wolves, catch you.
Barrandov Studios
Many interior shots were filmed on sets, including the interiors of the Harding and Hutter homes, as well as exteriors of the fictional Wisborg. Fun fact, Robert Eggers made use of real rats in the film – 5,000 to be exact! They were on set with the actors and crew, so this might explain why a real city in Czechia or Germany could not be used to create Wisborg as flooding it with rats may not please the locals…
These elaborate sets were built in the Barrandov Studios in Prague, instead.