In April 1986, the city of Chernobyl in the Soviet Union suffers one of the worst nuclear disasters in the history of mankind. Consequently, many heroes put their lives on the line in the following days, weeks and months.
ISM Vadybos ir ekonomikos universitetas, 7, Gedimino pr., Senamiestis, Senamiesčio seniūnija, Vilnius, Vilniaus miesto savivaldybė, Vilniaus apskritis, 01103, Lietuva
Spojná, Firšnál, Oblasť Žilinská, Bratislava, okres Bratislava I, Bratislava, Bratislavský kraj, 811 06, Slovensko
Scene: (Studio)
43, вулиця Нижній Вал, Плоське, Поділ, Подільський район, Київ, 04071, Україна
Школа №263 імені Євгена Коновальця, вулиця Сержа Лифаря, 8-й мікрорайон Вигурівщини-Троєщини, Вигурівщина-Троєщина, Деснянський район, Київ, 02222, Україна
Okupacijų ir laisvės kovų muziejus, 2A, Aukų g., Lukiškės, Naujamiesčio seniūnija, Vilnius, Vilniaus miesto savivaldybė, Vilniaus apskritis, 01113, Lietuva
Palatul Culturii, 1, acces parcare, Palas, Centru, Iași, Zona Metropolitană Iași, Iași, 700259, România
Scene: (Pripyat Hotel Bar)
20, Chemikų g., Kėdainiai, Kėdainių miesto seniūnija, Kėdainių rajono savivaldybė, Kauno apskritis, 57417, Lietuva
Scene: (Basketball Court in Pripyat)
HBO’s harrowing dramatisation of the 1986 nuclear disaster couldn’t film at the real reactor – so it recreated Soviet Ukraine in neighbouring Lithuania, where a genuine sister nuclear plant and a Soviet-era housing estate stood in with chilling authenticity.
Where was Chernobyl filmed?
Chernobyl was filmed mainly in Lithuania – the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and a Vilnius housing estate – with some scenes in Ukraine itself.
Every Chernobyl location, explained
1
The power plant – Ignalina, Lithuania
The reactor scenes used the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, a genuine RBMK plant of the same Soviet design as Chernobyl.
2
Pripyat – Fabijoniskes, Vilnius
The abandoned town of Pripyat was recreated in the Fabijoniskes Soviet-era housing district of Vilnius.
3
Moscow and Kyiv scenes
Central squares in Vilnius and Kaunas doubled for Moscow, with some filming in Kyiv and Chornobyl, Ukraine.
4
The wider Soviet world
Towns and studios across Lithuania filled out the recreated USSR.
Planning a visit
Vilnius, Lithuania – whose Fabijoniskes estate became Pripyat – is a striking, accessible city, and the Ignalina plant region carries the same eerie Soviet atmosphere the series captured.
Chernobyl Fun Facts
1
A real sister reactor Lithuania’s Ignalina plant shared Chernobyl’s RBMK design, making it a chillingly authentic stand-in.
2
Pripyat is Vilnius The ghost town was recreated in the Fabijoniskes Soviet-era housing estate.
3
Meticulous accuracy The production obsessively recreated Soviet uniforms, cars and interiors.
4
A ratings phenomenon The mini-series became one of the highest-rated shows ever on release.
5
Written by Craig Mazin The series was created and written by Craig Mazin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Chernobyl filmed?
Mainly in Lithuania (the Ignalina plant and a Vilnius housing estate), with some scenes in Ukraine.
Was it filmed at the real Chernobyl?
Only some scenes – most used Lithuania’s Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, a sister RBMK plant.
Where was Pripyat recreated?
In the Fabijoniskes Soviet-era district of Vilnius.
