Maps of Movies

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Where Bicycle Thieves says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A father's search for one stolen bicycle crosses real Rome, from a Fascist-era suburb to a stadium that no longer exists.

Scenes and places

The family's flat in Val Melaina (1948)

Antonio learns he has a job posting advertising bills, but only if he owns a bicycle. Maria strips the bed of her dowry sheets to pawn them and win it back.

Set in Ricci family home, Val Melaina — The suburban estate where Antonio, Maria and Bruno live. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A Fascist-era suburb on Rome's northern edge, built for workers.

Filmed at Val Melaina, former labour office (plaque) — The neighbourhood where the Ricci home was filmed; the coordinates are the district centre, not the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The bicycle is stolen (1948)

On his first morning pasting posters, Antonio is up a ladder when a young man takes his bicycle and vanishes. Without it the job is worthless, and the police say there is little they can do.

Set in Via Francesco Crispi, near the modern art gallery — On his first day at work, Antonio is on a ladder when a young man takes his bicycle. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A central Rome street beside the city's modern art gallery.

Filmed at Via Francesco Crispi, by the Galleria d'Arte Moderna — Filmed several metres from today's gallery; the gallery's staircase is visible. Coordinates are the gallery's. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Searching the Piazza Vittorio market (1948)

At dawn Antonio, Bruno and a crew of friends comb the market stalls for his bicycle. A frame looks right, but a carabiniere reads out a serial number that does not match.

Set in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II — The big market where stolen goods often surface. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Rome's largest market square, laid out as a grand piazza.

Filmed at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II market — The market where Antonio, Bruno and helpers search at dawn. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Porta Portese market (1948)

Antonio and Bruno spot the man he thinks is the thief talking with an old man. The thief slips away and the old man feigns ignorance.

Set in Porta Portese — The second market where Antonio hopes to find the thief. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A gate in Rome's Aurelian Walls, famous for its Sunday market.

Filmed at Porta Portese — The Sunday flea market where Antonio spots the suspected thief. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The holy woman in Trastevere (1948)

Out of leads, Antonio turns to a supposed holy woman who might tell him what to do. Her cryptic answer is almost a joke, and he leaves no closer to the bicycle.

Set in Trastevere, near Piazza San Cosimato — The fortune teller consulted several times by the main characters lives here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The medieval heart of Trastevere, south-west of the Tiber.

Filmed at Trastevere, near Piazza San Cosimato — Filmed near the piazza; coordinates are those of the nearby church of San Cosimato, not the exact door. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Outside the stadium (1948)

Worn out and with nowhere left to look, father and son reach the stadium as a Sunday match ends. The crowd is huge and Antonio's last hope is running out.

Set in Stadio Nazionale, Lungotevere Flaminio — The old Torino stadium, crowded for a Sunday football match, now gone. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A riverside district north of the centre, built up for the 1960 Olympics.

Filmed at Lungotevere Flaminio, site of the former Stadio Nazionale — The epilogue was filmed here; the stadium was demolished in 1957 and replaced by Stadio Flaminio. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Piazzale di Porta Pia — Antonio takes the crowded tram home after his first day. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Ponte Tazio — Father and son walk home over the Aniene. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Gazometro, Ostiense — The gasometer appears as Antonio follows the thief and the beggar. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Piazza dei Mercanti — Chase scene with the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in view; coordinates are the basilica's. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Ponte Palatino — The old beggar is stopped on this bridge. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Santi Nereo e Achilleo, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla — The chase leads into a church holding a charitable service. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Lungotevere / Ponte Duca d'Aosta — The chase returns to the Tiber embankment. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Antonio Ricci — An unemployed father who gets a job in postwar Rome only if he has a bicycle.
• Bruno — His young son, who goes with him on the search.