ITALY – Venice, San Nicolo Monastery at Lido // Moonraker (1979)

In “Moonraker”, the MI6 hosts a secret monastery base in the Brazilian jungle. The monastery is real – but you won’t find it in the jungle.

Why Bond was here
To unravel the genocidal plan by Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) in “Moonraker”, James Bond (Roger Moore) follows him from Venice to his jungle hideout in Brazil. Before getting there, 007 needs some prep time – and stops in at the MI6′ Brazilian training camp, covered as a monastery.

How you gonna get there
The monastery really was a monastery – but not placed in Brazil. It is the church San Nicolo al Lido on the northwest coast of the Lido di Venezia. The Lido is Venice’ own beach, a huge strip with golden sands, cafés, restaurants and holiday apartments shielding the laguna. 
Go by ferry boat (either line 1 or B) from San Marco to the Lido port. Then hop on to bus A, direction San Nicolo. Leave after three stops at “San Nicolo Chiesa”. The church is right in front of the bus stop.

Good to know
The monastery was founded in the 11th century and transformed into a Renaissance cloister in the 16th century. It is still in operation today – and you can visit the place. The courtyard, where the MI6 tests weapons, is to the right side of the church nave. Moneypennys office and additional scenes with M had been filmed in rooms and corridors both upstairs and surrounding the courtyard.
Don’t be confused: The monastery also hosts the “Global Campus of Human Rights” from the university of the European Union. So expect students to hang out at the fountain or studying in the shaded corners of the pillars. If you want access to all rooms, kindly ask the university for permission.

Definitly come during the high season, if you want to experience Venice’ city beach. We visited the Lido in October – discovering an almost empty seaside resort. Some beaches closed, the cafés (in a weird move) already prepped for the Christmas season. Also don’t get shocked after some days in the enjoyable car-free Venice: Lido allows cars and thus you have to start looking again before crossing a street.

© 2022 Huntingbond (1,3), © 1979 Danjaq S.A. & United Artists Corporation