Where was Chernobyl filmed?

Filmed on location in Ukraine and Lithuania, the series meticulously recreated the haunting landscapes and abandoned structures of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

From the desolate streets of Pripyat to the eerie corridors of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, each filming location played a pivotal role in bringing the tragedy to life. Let's delve into the detailed locales that formed the backdrop of Chernobyl.

Read on to find out where Chernobyl was filmed and look at our interactive map for more TV Filming Locations.

Pripyat, Ukraine

Pripyat, the abandoned city located near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, served as the primary filming location for much of the series. Once home to thousands of residents, Pripyat now stands as a ghostly reminder of the disaster, frozen in time. Filming took place amidst the crumbling buildings, overgrown streets, and decaying playgrounds that characterize the eerie atmosphere of the abandoned city. Specific locations within Pripyat, such as the iconic Ferris wheel and the derelict apartment blocks, were meticulously recreated to evoke the sense of desolation and despair that permeated the aftermath of the disaster.

Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, Lithuania

Due to safety concerns, filming inside the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant itself was not possible. Instead, the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania served as a stand-in for Chernobyl. Like Chernobyl, Ignalina featured RBMK reactors, the same type of reactor involved in the Chernobyl disaster, making it an ideal filming location. The series recreated key areas of the power plant, including the control room and reactor hall, with meticulous attention to detail, capturing the tense atmosphere and technical complexities of the facility.

Vilnius, Lithuania

The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius provided additional filming locations for "Chernobyl," including urban landscapes and government buildings. Specific locations within Vilnius, such as its historic Old Town and Soviet-era architecture, helped to recreate the atmosphere of 1980s Eastern Europe. The city's streets and squares served as backdrops for scenes depicting the bureaucratic machinations and political tensions surrounding the Chernobyl disaster response.

Klaipėda, Lithuania

The coastal city of Klaipėda served as a filming location for scenes set outside the Exclusion Zone, including the evacuation of Pripyat and the cleanup efforts in surrounding areas. The city's port facilities and industrial landscapes provided a stark contrast to the desolation of the Exclusion Zone, highlighting the scale of the disaster and its impact on neighbouring communities. Specific locations within Klaipėda, such as its harbour and waterfront areas, helped to evoke the sense of urgency and desperation that characterized the response to the Chernobyl disaster.

Lukiškės Prison, Vilnius, Lithuania:

Lukiškės Prison, located in Vilnius, Lithuania, served as a filming location for scenes set in Moscow, particularly those involving the trial of the plant workers and officials held responsible for the Chernobyl disaster. The prison's imposing architecture and historical significance provided an atmospheric backdrop for the courtroom scenes, capturing the tension and drama of the legal proceedings.

Kaunas Fortress, Lithuania

Kaunas Fortress, a sprawling complex of fortifications located in Kaunas, Lithuania, provided a filming location for scenes set in the aftermath of the disaster, including the cleanup efforts and containment measures implemented in the Exclusion Zone. The fortress's abandoned buildings and overgrown surroundings offered a fitting setting for portraying the desolation and decay that characterized the contaminated areas surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Riga, Latvia

The Latvian capital of Riga served as a filming location for scenes set in Kiev, Ukraine's capital city, and other urban environments outside the Exclusion Zone. Riga's well-preserved historic architecture and Soviet-era infrastructure provided a versatile backdrop for various scenes, including those depicting the bustling streets of Kiev and the administrative offices where decisions were made regarding the disaster response.

Fabijoniškės, Vilnius, Lithuania

Fabijoniškės, a residential district in Vilnius, Lithuania, provided filming locations for scenes set in Pripyat's residential areas, including the apartments where the characters lived before the evacuation. The district's Soviet-era apartment blocks and communal spaces closely resembled the architecture and layout of Pripyat, allowing for an authentic recreation of the everyday life of its residents before the disaster struck.

Grūtas Park, Druskininkai, Lithuania

Grūtas Park, also known as Stalin's World, is an open-air museum located near Druskininkai, Lithuania, that houses a collection of Soviet-era statues and artifacts. The park served as a filming location for scenes set in Moscow's Victory Day parade, providing a backdrop of Soviet symbolism and military pomp reminiscent of the era portrayed in Chernobyl. The park's eerie atmosphere and historical significance added authenticity to the series' depiction of Soviet society and ideology.

Intrigued by where your favourite movies are filmed? Check out our Movie Mapper to discover the filming locations.

If you haven’t yet watched Chernobyl, the award-winning miniseries that powerfully retells the 1986 nuclear disaster, now’s the perfect time. You can stream Chernobyl in the UK on platforms like NOW TV and Sky Go, or purchase it via Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or the Sky Store.

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