Maps of Movies
Ben-Hur (1959)
Where Ben-Hur says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
Ancient Jerusalem was built in Rome, and Nazareth is a mountain village 40 miles away
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Scenes and places
The Three Wise Men at Bethlehem
The film opens with the Three Wise Men arriving in Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus. Years later the story picks up in Jerusalem with Judah.
Set in Bethlehem — Where the Three Wise Men worship the infant Jesus before the story jumps ahead. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Bethlehem is the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
Judah's house and the break with Messala
Judah, a wealthy Jewish prince, is visited by Messala, his Roman childhood friend, now a tribune. Messala demands names of Jewish rebels, Judah refuses, and the friends part as enemies. A roof tile that spooks the governor's horse becomes Messala's excuse to send Judah to the galleys.
Set in Jerusalem — Judah's home, where he refuses his old friend Messala and is condemned over a falling roof tile. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Ancient Jerusalem was the capital of the Roman province of Judea.
Filmed at Cinecittà Studios, Rome (Cinecittà, Rome, Italy) — The Jerusalem streets, including a 75-foot Jaffa Gate, were built as a vast set on a 0.5-square-mile site. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The water at Nazareth
Marched in chains with other prisoners through Nazareth, Judah collapses from thirst while Roman soldiers keep the well for themselves. A man gives him water and Judah goes on living. He does not yet know who the man is.
Set in Nazareth — Where the chained Judah, marched toward the galleys, is given water by a stranger. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Nazareth is the hometown of Jesus in the Gospels.
Filmed at Arcinazzo Romano, Lazio (Lazio, Arcinazzo Romano, Italy) — The mountain village of Arcinazzo Romano, 40 miles from Rome, stood in for Nazareth. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The galley battle at sea
Chained to an oar on the flagship of the Roman consul Quintus Arrius, Judah rows into battle. When Arrius's ship goes down, Judah saves the man who commands him.
Set in Mediterranean Sea — A sea battle where Judah, rowing as a galley slave, saves the Roman commander Arrius.
The scene has no fixed place on land, so the map shows only where it was filmed.
Filmed at Cinecittà artificial lake, Rome (Cinecittà, Rome, Italy) — An artificial lake was built at the studios to accommodate the galleys. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Filmed at MGM back lot, Culver City, California (California, Culver City, United States) — Miniature ships were filmed in a huge tank in November and December 1957. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Arrius's villa in Rome
In Rome, Emperor Tiberius gives Judah to Arrius as a slave. Judah becomes a champion charioteer, and Arrius adopts him as his son.
Set in Rome — Where Emperor Tiberius gives Judah to Arrius, who adopts him. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Rome was the capital of the empire in the film's time.
Filmed at Cinecittà Studios, Rome (Cinecittà, Rome, Italy) — The villa of Quintus Arrius was built as a set with 45 working fountains. Its site at Cinecittà is inferred from the studio being the primary location. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Sheik Ilderim and Balthasar in the desert
Judah travels home from Rome. On the way he meets the chariot-loving Arab Sheik Ilderim, and Balthasar, an old man looking for someone from Nazareth.
Set in Desert road to Judea — On the journey home Judah meets the chariot-loving Arab Sheik Ilderim and, again, Balthasar.
Filmed at Lake Fogliano, Latina (Lazio, Latina, Italy) — Lake Fogliano is given for the first meeting of Ben-Hur and Balthasar; some additional desert panoramas were shot in Arizona. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The chariot race
Judah enters Sheik Ilderim's team in a chariot race, hoping to beat Messala. Messala drives a "Greek" chariot that wrecks his rivals' chariots.
Set in Jerusalem circus — The arena where Judah drives against Messala, whose chariot wrecks rivals' teams. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The arena was modelled on a historic circus in Jerusalem.
Filmed at Cinecittà arena set, Rome (Cinecittà, Rome, Italy) — A thousand workmen needed more than a year to carve the oval out of a rock quarry. The site at Cinecittà is inferred, not stated. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The sermon on the hill
Judah refuses to go with Esther to hear Jesus speak on a hillside. He then meets the new governor, Pontius Pilate, and rejects Roman citizenship.
Set in Hillside near Jerusalem — Esther goes to hear Jesus speak on a hillside while Judah stays away.
Filmed at Canale Monterano, Lazio (Lazio, Canale Monterano, Italy) — The Sermon on the Mount scenes were filmed at Canale Monterano, north-west of Rome. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The Valley of the Lepers
Judah and Esther lead his mother Miriam and his dying sister Tirzah out of the Valley of the Lepers, hoping to bring them to Jesus.
Set in Valley of the Lepers — Where Judah's mother and sister live as lepers outside the city.
Filmed at Caves south of Anzio (Lazio, Anzio, Italy) — The English article says caves just south of Anzio served as the leper colony; the point is the city of Anzio, not the caves. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The road to Golgotha
Jesus collapses while carrying his cross through the streets. Judah recognizes him as the man who gave him water in Nazareth, tries to reach him, and is stopped by a Roman soldier.
Set in Jerusalem — A street where Jesus, carrying his cross, collapses. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Golgotha
Judah and Balthasar witness the crucifixion.
Set in Golgotha, Jerusalem — The hill outside Jerusalem where the crucifixion takes place. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Characters
- Judah Ben-Hur — A wealthy Jewish prince in Jerusalem, betrayed by his childhood friend and sent to the galleys.
- Messala — Judah's Roman childhood friend, who returns to Jerusalem as a tribune and turns against him.
Questions answered on the map
- Where was ancient Jerusalem built for Ben-Hur?
- Which Italian village played Nazareth in Ben-Hur?