George Romero's vampire film used real houses and streets in Braddock and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and most are still standing.
Martin was filmed mainly on location in Braddock, Pennsylvania, with additional scenes in downtown Pittsburgh, during summer 1976. The production shot in real houses, streets, and public spaces rather than studios, including a private home on 5th Street that served as Cuda's house and several recognizable Pittsburgh landmarks.
George A. Romero made Martin in 1977 on a budget under $250,000, shooting entirely on real locations around the Pittsburgh suburb of Braddock during the summer of 1976. The approach gives the film a worn, documentary-like texture that studio sets could never match.
The story is set in Indianapolis and Braddock, but every frame was captured in western Pennsylvania. Romero drew on friends and family of the crew for the supporting cast, and the credits thank the people of Braddock directly. Romero himself called it his personal favorite of his own films.
| Location | Where | What was filmed | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 215 5th Street | Braddock | Cuda's house interior and exterior scenes | Private property |
| Braddock | Braddock | Multiple street scenes and town atmosphere | Free to see |
| Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse | Pittsburgh | Martin and Cuda walking to downtown Pittsburgh scene | Free to see |
| 1600 Smallman Street | Pittsburgh | Walking under the bridge scene in wholesale district | Free to see |
| Braddock Family Health Center | Braddock | Giant Eagle Supermarket scene | Free to see |
| Pittsburgh train station area | Pittsburgh | Arrival and walking scenes | Free to see |
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Pennsylvania, Braddock Private property
Filmed here: Cuda's house interior and exterior scenes
This modest Braddock house served as Cuda's home, used for both interior and exterior scenes. It belonged to the film's sound man, Tony Buba, whose family photos and artifacts appear on screen. It remains a private residence today, so visitors should view the exterior only from the street and respect the occupants' privacy.
Pennsylvania, Braddock Free to see
Filmed here: Multiple street scenes and town atmosphere
The town of Braddock supplies the film's whole atmosphere, with multiple street scenes shot among its historic buildings and working-class blocks. Nearly half a century later, many exteriors remain recognizable to fans who walk the area. The town is small and easily explored on foot, making it the natural base for any location visit.
Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Free to see
Filmed here: Martin and Cuda walking to downtown Pittsburgh scene
This downtown Pittsburgh courthouse appears in the scene where Martin and Cuda walk through the city. The building's exterior is accessible to the public and sits within easy walking distance of other central Pittsburgh locations used in the film. Visitors can pass by freely and photograph the facade without any special arrangements.
Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Free to see
Filmed here: Walking under the bridge scene in wholesale district
Located in Pittsburgh's wholesale district, this spot was used for the scene of characters walking under the bridge. It remains an industrial area with street level access, so visitors can simply walk the same route. The surrounding blocks retain the gritty, urban character that made them appealing to Romero's production.
Pennsylvania, Braddock Free to see
Filmed here: Giant Eagle Supermarket scene
The Giant Eagle Supermarket scene was shot at this Braddock site, which now houses a health center. Shoppers in the film browsed aisles that no longer exist, but the building itself marks the spot. Fans can view it from outside as part of a wider walk around Braddock's other filming locations.
Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Free to see
Filmed here: Arrival and walking scenes
The vicinity of Pittsburgh's historic train station was used for Martin's arrival and walking scenes, establishing his entry into the region. The area around the station remains publicly accessible and pairs well with a visit to the courthouse location a few blocks away. It is a short walk between the two spots downtown.
The story of Martin is set in Indianapolis and Braddock, Pennsylvania, but the production never left western Pennsylvania. All filming took place on location in Braddock and Pittsburgh, so what viewers see on screen is the real region where Romero and his crew lived and worked.
A note for travelers: the bookable tours listed on this page relate to a different production entirely, the television series Doc Martin, filmed in Port Isaac and other spots in Cornwall, England. They are unrelated to Romero's 1977 film. For Martin itself, no guided tours exist; the locations in Braddock and Pittsburgh are best visited independently on foot or by car.
Doc Martin Tour in Port Isaac, Cornwall
Focuses on Port Isaac, the real fishing village that plays Portwenn in Doc Martin, departing from Newquay.
Doc Martin Tour
A dedicated Doc Martin tour rated 4.6 from 473 reviews, visiting filming spots around the Cornwall village.
Doc Martin, Fishermans Friends & North Cornwall
Covers Doc Martin country along with Port Isaac and other north Cornwall coastal villages familiar from screen.
Martin was filmed on location in Braddock, Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh suburb, with additional scenes in downtown Pittsburgh. Shooting took place during the summer of 1976 on a budget under $250,000.
Yes. Cuda's house at 215 5th Street in Braddock was a real private home belonging to sound man Tony Buba. His family photos and artifacts were used in the film. It remains a private residence, so only exterior views from the street are appropriate.
The story is set in Indianapolis and Braddock, Pennsylvania, but all filming happened in Braddock and Pittsburgh. Romero used real streets, houses, and public spaces rather than studio sets.
Yes. Most locations, including the Braddock streets, the Pittsburgh courthouse area, the Smallman Street bridge spot, and the train station vicinity, are publicly accessible. The only restricted site is the private house at 215 5th Street.
Romero named Martin as his personal favorite among his own films. He filled the supporting cast with friends and family of the filmmakers, and the credits offer special thanks to the people of Braddock.
No guided tours cover Romero's Martin. The tours listed on this page relate to the unrelated television series Doc Martin, filmed in Cornwall, England. For the 1977 film, independent exploration of Braddock and Pittsburgh is the way to go.
Braddock and Pittsburgh reward travelers who prefer their film locations unpolished. The streets Romero shot in 1976 are still there, largely intact, and a self-guided walk between them makes for one of the more atmospheric location pilgrimages in American horror cinema.
Before You Go
The tours travellers book most for Martin.
