Strange noises, abandoned palaces, enchanted forests… The ingredients that make up one of the most important film genres can be very varied, and recreating the perfect atmosphere for each feature film is facing a real challenge. For this reason, directors and producers choose places that perfectly express everything they want to make viewers feel.
Civitatis , a company specializing in the sale of guided tours, excursions and free tours in Spanish all over the world, has compiled a list of the locations where the most famous horror movies have been filmed.
“The Orphanage” in the Palace of Partarríu, Llanes
The list of destinations where the most famous horror movies have been filmed continues in the town of Llanes, specifically, in the Palacio de Partarríu or Villa Parres, its real name. This mysterious building was completed in 1898 commissioned by José Parres Piñera, and behind its walls El Orfanato de Juan Antonio Bayona was filmed.
Although the house did not belong to an Indian, the architectural characteristics do make it a good example of this type of architecture. But, without a doubt, the most curious thing about this colonial estate is its changing appearance, since each of its four facades is different, providing an aura of mystery to the entire complex. Beyond the exterior of the mansion, scenes for this film were shot in other natural locations, such as Andrín beach, a small cove located at the eastern end of Llanes, in Asturias.
The famous stairs of “The Exorcist”.
Georgetown, its stairs and “The Exorcist”
To make this 1973 film, the quiet neighborhood of Georgetown, in Washington DC, was chosen. Specifically, for the most important part of the film, the steps that descend from the corner of Prospect St and 36th St NW were chosen. Interestingly, before this movie they were known as Hitchcock’s stairs.
At the end of the film, Father Karras defeats the demon after throwing himself out the window towards these famous stairs, also ending his own life. Being very close to the Georgetown University campus, many students and tourists still visit them. In addition, there you can see an honorary plaque for its importance in the cinematographic history of the city. An easy way to get to this location is to rent a bike in Washington DC.
The scene of “The exorcist”.
The famous “The Shining” hotel in Oregon
The Shining, by Stanley Kubrick, is based on the famous novel written by Stephen King in 1977, which in turn was inspired by an experience he had with his wife in a hotel in Colorado.
The interiors of the fictional Overlook Hotel were shot in studios, while the exterior scenes were shot at the Timberline Lodge and the Mount Hood Oregon ski resort.
The Dakota Building in NY, in “The Devil’s Baby”
Located between 72nd Street and Central Park West, as well as being the filming location for Baby Boy, the infamous Dakota Building has been home to some of New York’s most influential and wealthy people. In fact, one of the most illustrious neighbors was John Lennon.
It is said that New Yorkers decided to call it that because at the time of its construction it was as far from downtown Manhattan as Dakota. Built by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, it offers the perfect look for the horror genre, enhanced by distinctive architecture with steep roofs, balconies and balustrades.
House of “Nightmare o Elm Street”.
“Nightmare on Elm Street”…or West Hollywood?
The famous house where the filming of A Nightmare on Elm Street took place is located in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and was built in 1919. Despite its 250 square meters, the interior was not used for recording and only shots were taken from abroad, which has gone down in history as one of the destinations where the most famous horror movies have been shot.
The Palacio de los Hornillos, filming location for “The Others”
And from palace to palace, we arrived at Las Fraguas, in Cantabria. In the middle of a huge estate stands the imposing construction chosen by Amenábar to shoot The Others. There are two palaces, one next to the other. One of them can be rented for the celebration of baptisms, weddings and communions. Only for the bravest!
The oldest of the two palaces is the so-called Casona de las Fraguas and the largest, the one called Los Hornillos. The latter was chosen for the shoot due to its curious English picturesque style and for being located in the highest area of the estate.
Las Ramblas de Barcelona.
“[REC]”, recording in Argelich House, Barcelona
Amidst the magnitude of the rest of the buildings on Las Ramblas, at number 34 we find Casa Argelich, where the film [REC], by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, was shot.
The long corridors, the walls with Gothic motifs, the plaster ceiling, the white marble staircase… In short, this building designed by the architect Josep Amargós i Samaranch was chosen as the perfect setting to shoot this feature film, one of the most shocking films of horror in Spain in recent years. 
Plaza de España in Madrid.
“Malasaña 32”, in the Montano Building in Madrid
The list of destinations where the most famous horror movies have been shot would end at number 32 in Manuela Malasaña, in Madrid, were it not for one small detail: it does not exist. The famous Madrid street ends at number 30, so to get to the filming location we will have to go down towards Plaza de España. There we will find the Montano building, filming location for the film Malasaña 32.
This mysterious construction located at number 3 San Bernardino Street offered the perfect location to record the interiors and exteriors of the Albert Pintó film. In 1853 it housed a piano factory, but it is also said that it had a most truculent past… Which can be discovered by booking a free tour of the ghosts of Madrid.
