In the province of Burgos, 2025 has seen a marked increase in interest in film-related tourism. The catalyst was Sergio Leone’s legendary film “Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo” (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly), which was shot in the surrounding area. This year, a museum dedicated to the film’s production designer, Carlo Simi, was added to existing landmarks. It complements the restored Sad Hill necropolis and the reconstructed Betterville fort—both now iconic sites for fans of the genre.
The story began ten years ago, when local enthusiasts discovered that the final scenes of the cult western were actually filmed here in 1966. After some searching, they found the remains of the famous cemetery where the pivotal duel unfolds. A group of volunteers decided to clear the area, restore the central circle, and put up wooden crosses, just like in the original set. What was expected to take a couple of weekends quickly grew into a much bigger project, attracting new participants—including some from abroad. To raise funds, a ‘cross adoption’ program was launched, which helped bring in additional resources and volunteers.
As a result, hundreds of people from Spain, France, and Italy came to the Mirandilla valley to help restore the historic site. By the film’s 50th anniversary, the venue was fully prepared for a large-scale celebration that drew several thousand visitors. The initiative was supported by composer Ennio Morricone, actor Clint Eastwood, and Metallica’s James Hetfield, whose band traditionally opens concerts with the movie’s main theme. Thanks to this, Burgos has found itself at the center of attention for European Western fans.
Today, around 50,000 people visit Sad Hill annually, while Fort Betterville has attracted another 5,000 tourists over the year. The area is renowned not only for its cinematic sites but also for its natural attractions: Sabinares del Arlanza Natural Park, the Monastery of San Pedro de Arlanza, La Yecla gorge, and the historic towns of Silos and Covarrubias. In October, Covarrubias will open a Carlos Simi museum, featuring original sketches, costumes, and designs linked not just to this film, but also to other works by the artist. The exhibition has been made possible with the support of Simi’s daughter, Giuditta.
The museum will be housed in the Casilla de Santo Tomas building, next to the church of the same name. The ground floor will feature materials related to ‘For a Few Dollars More,’ while the second floor will showcase works from other projects. Bringing the collection to Burgos underscores the international significance of the Sad Hill restoration initiative.
According to pop culture researchers, visiting film sets has become a special form of pilgrimage for many. Strolling through these locations lets visitors feel the atmosphere of iconic films and enjoy the beauty of the local landscape. Fort Batterville offers spectacular sunsets, and next year a unique astronomical event—a solar eclipse—is expected here. Preparations have already begun for the film’s 60th anniversary, which will take place in 2026.
Organizers plan to partially reconstruct the Langstone Bridge (Langstone), another key feature from the film. The original bridge was destroyed during filming, and for a reshoot, it had to be rebuilt with the support of the Spanish military. Now, there is consideration of recreating certain elements to serve as a reminder of its existence.
The combination of historical heritage, nature, and pop culture has proven successful for the region. The management of the Sabinares del Arlanza Natural Park notes that such projects contribute to the comprehensive development of the area. Last year, wood left after a fire was used to reconstruct the fort, giving it new life. Now, part of the fences and towers is made from this material, and further development will depend on available funding.
Access to the sites is organized via pedestrian trails to minimize environmental impact. For visitors’ convenience, parking areas are available in the villages of Contreras and Carazo, from where key locations can be reached on foot. An additional trail connects the two sites.
Local authorities report an increase in visitor numbers but acknowledge that small communities are not yet able to fully benefit from the flow due to limited infrastructure. Nevertheless, the initiative started by a small group of enthusiasts has already transformed the region and drawn attention to its unique features.
