New Moon takes a globe-trotting stop in Volterra, Italy in order to visit the Volturi vampire coven that lives there. But the question remains: where will the movie actually film the Italian segments? New Moon casting information we’ve gathered so far indicates that the filming locations are LA, Vancouver and Rome.

But why Rome? Fellow Twihard Sarah Braasch relates her travels to Volterra with this (imagined?) press release from a “Volturi spokeswoman” and tickles the eyes with a gallery of Volterra locations:

Volturi spokeswoman Heidi explained, “Why go anywhere else? Why recreate Volterra when you can have Volterra? When we heard that Summit was considering shooting in Rome in lieu of Volterra, we knew that we had to do something. We wanted to show them just how beautiful, cool, photogenic, and atmospheric Volterra is. There is no replacement. And, we know that the Twilight fandom will agree.”

Be sure to also check out our gallery of Volterra for a taste of its amazing sights. Read on for the rest of the “Press Release”!

   The royal Volturi vampire coven of Volterra, Italy released a PR blitz and ad campaign directed at Summit Entertainment to promote Volterra as an upcoming New Moon movie location. New Moon will be the latest film installment of the hugely successful Twilight franchise, based on Stephenie Meyer’s series of young adult vampire novels. Volterra, Italy boasts a hilltop perch, scenic views of the Tuscan countryside, medieval ramparts, Roman ruins and Etruscan arches. But, and, most importantly, Volterra is home to the actual Piazza dei Priori, including the Palazzo dei Priori, complete with belltower, as described by Stephenie Meyer in New Moon, not to mention the alley in which a pivotal scene occurs.

   Volterra is unworldly gorgeous. Majestic and captivating on approach, encased in misty fog on the day of my arrival, it appeared as a citadel in the sky. The famed medieval town square, the Piazza dei Priori, did not disappoint either. Nor did the labyrinthine network of myriad dark and narrow cobblestone alleys. The entire scene bleeds gothic royalty. It truly is the perfect refuge for the ancient blue-non-blooded undead. It is difficult imagining recreating this environment elsewhere, or, the sacrilege, on a soundstage.

   Volturi spokeswoman Heidi explained, “Why go anywhere else? Why recreate Volterra when you can have Volterra? When we heard that Summit was considering shooting in Rome in lieu of Volterra, we knew that we had to do something. We wanted to show them just how beautiful, cool, photogenic, and atmospheric Volterra is. There is no replacement. And, we know that the Twilight fandom will agree.”

   The Twilight fandom have been sticklers for accuracy and have taken the producers to task time and again for even considering deviating from Meyer’s first novel. Heidi continued, “The Twilight fan base is already well aware of Volterra, Italy. They know what the Piazza and Palazzo dei Priori look like. They know in which alley Bella saved Edward, who were then confronted by Felix and Demetri, who, by the way, are dying to be extras in the film. But, my point is, this is what the fans want, and Summit knows this.” The Twilight online universe has been flooded and glutted with images and videos of fan trips to Volterra, scouring and devouring every corner of the moody medieval town.

   The Volturi noted that there were other potential incentives to choosing Volterra over Rome as a film location. Heidi explained, “Of course, we can guarantee the safety of the entire film cast and crew within the medieval ramparts of Volterra . . . Rome — not so much. In fact, Rome seems to be suffering from a particularly nasty case of newborns at the moment. We aren’t sure who’s creating them, but we’ll find out, and, when we do, our justice will be merciless and swift.”

   Summit Entertainment is currently in preproduction on the New Moon movie and has yet to release the final film locations. Regardless of Summit’s decision, the notoriously camera shy Volturi are surprisingly pleased with their new found fame and subsequent boost in tourism to their Tuscan haven. Heidi proclaimed, “We’re here to work with the city of Volterra and to do everything in our power to promote tourism in Volterra, Tuscany, and the entirety of Italy. We love tourists.”

VOLTERRA ITALY (POSSIBLE NEW MOON MOVIE LOCATION)