Despite there being very little evidence that Shakespeare ever travelled abroad, his plays are filled with clues to meaningful locations both real and imaginary (often a combination of the two). As his plays often took inspiration from classical sources, it is so surprise that Greek and Italian locations are frequently used alongside more recognizable places in the British Isles. However, as a reflection of the advancements in exploration as well as befitting as Renaissance writer, some surprisingly exotic places also appear from as far afield as Egypt and Libya. For Shakespeare fans, visiting some of these notable locations is a travel must-do.
Venice/ Italy: The Merchant of Venice, Othello
Tourism in Venice has been high profile of late due to the city’s efforts to curb numbers and control the impact of overtourism. However, if you travel thoughtfully and time your visit well you can still enjoy this unique city. The city is an alluring backdrop to the opening of Othello, where the title character is introduced during a pivotal war meeting at the Doge’s Palace. Shakespeare conveys the Renaissance city’s power and its central role in Europe as a trading hub. A theme further explored through the moral dilemmas and commerce at the heart of The Merchant of Venice. Evidence of this fascinating mercantile history can be seen throughout the city’s stores, shopfronts and manufacturers.
Verona/ Italy: Romeo and Juliet, Two Gentlemen of Verona
Many scenes from Shakespeare’s 37 plays may be described as iconic, but the famous balcony from Romeo and Juliet is surely top of the list. A contender for its real-life inspiration can be found in Verona where romantically inclined tourists queue for their moment in Juliet’s shoes. The source for Shakespeare’s play is a tangled web that can be traced back to the Montecchi and Capelletti families referenced in Dante’s Purgatory in the 1300s. The modern-day balcony is an addition to a mansion owned by the Capello family (close enough!) and is now a mecca for love struck tourists who leave letters to Juliet in the tomb of an unknown young Capello girl.
Less famous, but equally evocative are the vibrant streets of Verona which give their name to the comedy Two Gentleman of Verona. The young men at the heart of this work also travel to Milan and Mantua. Tracing their steps could be a great Italian road trip.
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Kronborg Castle, Helsingør/Denmark: Hamlet
Opening on the battlements of Kronborg, Helsingør (in English, Elsinore) Castle with a ghostly apparition, Hamlet has firmly rooted the location in the minds of Shakespeare fans across the globe. Arguably Shakespeare’s most influential play, Hamlet almost exclusively takes place within the walls and grounds of this castle. Stunningly situated at the Northeastern tip of the island of Zealand, arriving by ferry gives a fantastic impression of the place. The UNESCO listed castle has much to fascinate tourists including the castle’s embracing of its Shakespearean connection. Many famous actors have performed Hamlet in the castle grounds including Sir Laurence Olivier.
The Tower of London, London/United Kingdom: Henry IV parts 1 & 2, Henry V, Henry VI parts 1,2 & 3, Henry VIII, King John, Richard II, Richard III
Shakespeare wrote under the watchful patronage of two British monarchs: Elizabeth I and James I (James VI of Scotland). Their royal lineage gave the playwright plenty of inspiration to create his series of history plays. Although highly fictionalized and (necessarily) flattering to the monarchs, many important locations appear in the plays. Most culminate in scenes of pageantry in London’s streets and, tragically, the Tower of London. Richard III features many poignant scenes in the prison which housed Richard’s young nephews. Dubbed the ‘Princes in the Tower’, the young boys’ bodies were discovered and later identified by DNA to be those described by Shakespeare. This and other gruesome tales (including the site of Anne Boleyn’s execution) can be explored during a trip to the Tower of London.
Glamis Castle, Angus/ Scotland: Macbeth
When the doomed King Duncan arrived at Glamis Castle, he declared “This Castle hath a pleasant seat”. Visitors are sure to agree; although the scene of the famous regicide in Macbeth, today Glamis Castle is a fascinating and welcoming venue with extensive gardens to explore. The ancestral home of the Strathmore family since 1372, it is now open for tours, day trips and shooting weekends among other special events. It is not without its dark side though, earning a reputation as one of the most haunted sites in Scotland with several reported ghostly sightings.
The most chilling perhaps being that of a spirit simply known as ‘The Lady Without a Tongue’. Exactly the sort of “supernatural soliciting”, Shakespeare fans may be seeking when visiting the fictional home of the Macbeths.
Vienna/Austria: Measure for Measure
Measure for Measure is an unusual play in canon of Shakespeare’s works. Variously categorised as a Comedy, Problem Play or Late Play, the text concerns moral ambiguity, vice, revenge and hypocrisy. Shakespeare may have been inspired to set his play here to contrast the splendour of the court and palace scenes with the seedier underbelly of the play. Vienna at the time of writing was a Catholic country therefore an apt choice for a play seeped in Christian imagery with a nun, Isabella, as the heroine.
Visitors today can admire the architecture of splendid galleries, theatres, palaces, churches and town halls: all backdrops to Shakespeare’s morality tale.
Adriatic Coast/Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro: Twelfth Night
The Illyrian coast where Viola is shipwrecked at the opening of Twelfth Night, is a memorable scene. The sea serves as a barrier and an opportunity for the sailors, pirates and island inhabitants of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. Illyria is a classical name for what we now know as the Adriatic coast. Italy and Croatia are popular destinations already for tourists but their lesser visited counterparts: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, and Montenegro share equally stunning stretches of turquoise waters.
Other honorable mentions:
Navarre, Basque region/ Spain – Love’s Labors Lost
Stratford upon Avon/ United Kingdom – birthplace of the Bard
Athens/Greece – Midsummer Night’s Dream, Timon of Athens
Cyprus – Othello
Padua – Romeo & Juliet and Taming of the Shrew
