A remote town in the Spanish desert is the unlikely world capital for Western movies.
© Matilde Gattoni
The Tabernas desert and its sets have served as shooting ground for over 170 western movie productions, including masterpieces such as “For a Fistful of Dollars”, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, and “Once Upon a Time in the West”.
Thanks to the cinema industry, the area hosts some of the world’s best cowboys, who are regularly featured in all kinds of movies. Imbued in the western classics of the golden era, they personify pride, bravado, freedom and a unique mastery of guns and horses.
We spent weeks amid Tabernas’ stunning natural landscapes and open-air sets. We met with actors and producers who made the history of Westerns and young cowboys who are keeping the myth alive.
Story produced together with photographer Matilde Gattoni. Text and pictures available