Hotel Villa Westend as a film location with a unique atmosphere

The elegant Hotel Villa Westend in Merano has repeatedly served as a captivating setting for film and television productions. This overview offers insights into an exciting crime series and three film projects in which the historic property played a significant role. It also includes a TV feature highlighting a remarkable award received by the villa.

Step into the world of film and television and discover how this charming residence became the stage for compelling stories. Experience the distinctive character of this exceptional filming location – during your stay, you might even recognize some of the original scenes.

Productions filmed at Villa Westend

Crime series: Die geheime Bruderschaft (directed by Josh Broecker, March 2024)
Anita B. (directed by Roberto Faenza, 2013)
Hill of Vision (directed by Roberto Faenza, 2022)
La farfalla impazzita (directed by Kiko Rosati, 2025)

A TV feature also highlighted a prestigious award received by the villa.

La farfalla impazzita, directed by Kiko Rosati

Actors: Elena Sofia Ricci, Massimo Wertmüller, Jürgen Heinrich, Josafat Vagni, Fulvio Pepe, Mariangeles Torres, Silvia Cohen, Loris Loddi
Publication year: 2025

The story of Giulia Spizzichino, a Roman Jew marked by the Nazi extermination of her family, and her fight for the extradition to Italy and the conviction of former Nazi officer Erich Priebke, the material perpetrator of the Fosse Ardeatine massacre.
Based on Giulia Spizzichino's autobiography written with Roberto Riccardi.

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Hill of vision, directed by Roberto Faenza

Mario Capecchi: the amazing story of a wild child who becomes Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Actors: Laura Haddock, Edward Holcroft, Elisa Lasowski, Francesco Montanari, Rosa Diletta Rossi, Jake Donald-Crookes
Publication year: 2022

World War II, South Tyrol (Italy). Mario is only four years old when his mother is arrested by the Fascists. The little boy spends his childhood on the streets, living hand-to-mouth. After the war, he and his mother miraculously find each other and begin a new life in America, among the Quaker community Hill of Vision. Mario is unable to fit into the new context of normality, until he discovers, thanks to his scientist uncle, a passion for science. Based on the adventurous life of Mario Capecchi, Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2007.

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Anita B., directed by Roberto Faenza

Jean Vigo Italia
Actors: Eline Powell, Robert Sheehan, Andrea Osvárt, Antonio Cupo, Nico Mirallegro, Moni Ovadia
Publication year: 2013

Roberto Faenza's new film 'Anita B' is based on the novel “How Many Stars Are in the Sky,” written by Edith Bruck, who also scripted the film with the director. In the cast of Anita B: Robert Sheehan and Eline Powell, Andrea Osvart, Antonio Cupo, Jane Alexander and Moni Ovadia.

The film is produced by Jean Vigo Italia co-produced by Cinemaundici and supported by BLS. Filming, took place in South Tyrol with a brief sortie to Prague.
Source

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The Secret Brotherhood, directed by Josh Broecker

We are pleased to announce that some scenes from a well-known crime series were filmed at our hotel. Our hotel served as a picturesque backdrop for thrilling moments you may recognize from television.

Hotel Westend appears in the episode "The Secret Brotherhood" at minutes 59:40 and 1:17:03. This episode was broadcast on March 21, 2024.

The scenes were shown in the latest episode of the German crime series "The Bozen Crime", produced in 2023.

This series is irregularly broadcast during prime time on Thursdays on "Donnerstag-Krimi im Ersten". The pilot episode was aired on January 29, 2015. So far, 20 episodes have been released.

Kompass Szenen der Kultur

On August 26, 2024, the program "Kompass – Szenen der Kultur" on Rai Südtirol featured a special report on the awarding of a distinguished honor to Villa Westend.

The segment, which starts at minute 1:40, highlights the historical significance and cultural impact of this architectural gem in South Tyrol. Villa Westend was recognized for its outstanding restoration and its contribution to the promotion of the region's cultural heritage.

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