Travel, travel everywhere leave not a place unsullied! Travel is an inseparable part of almost everything that you can think of; be it a movie, TV series, reality show or novels. And I know what strikes your mind first when you spot the word fantasy and TV series together- Game of Thrones. Such is the frenzy of this epic American drama that it has managed to steal a huge chuck from our hearts. The seventh season is long gone, and with the release of the final season,anticipation has taken a toll already. Yeah, the WINTER IS HERE already, so says Arya Stark and all GOT fans in unison!
While the mystery STILL remains, I bring for you a piece of the glorious same to celebrate this nerve wrecking season.
An adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire, George R. R. Martin’s series of fantasy novels Game of Thrones TV series is famous for its stunning and spectacular backdrop locations. So, hold your breath for a while because I am going to reveal the fantastic locations from Game of Thrones right here right now!
Alcázar de Sevilla (Water Gardens of Dorne)
The Alcázar de Sevilla is a royal palace in Seville, Spain, originally developed by Moorish Muslim kings and it represents Water Gardens of the Kingdom of Dorne which becomes the private residence of family Martell in the capital, Lanza del Sol. This outstanding example of mudéjar architecture is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe.
The Roman Bridge in Cordoba, Andalusia (Long Bridge of Volantis)
Built in the early 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river, the Roman bridge in Cordoba is the Long Bridge of Volantis in Game of Thrones. This bridge has been shot in a way that it appears even longer in the series. Tyrion Lannister and his captor, Ser Jorah Mormont, cross the Long Bridge from east to west in order to get to the Merchant’s House and the widow of the waterfront. You may wish to attempt the same as the bridge is quite a site to visit especially during the night.
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This bridge was built in the early 1st century BC by the Romans to replace a previous one in wood. It currently has 16 arcades and is of a total length of 247 meters with 9 meters in width.
Essaouira (Astapor)
Essaouira is a city in the western Moroccan economic region of Marrakesh-Safi, on the Atlantic coast. It represents Astapor which is the southernmost of the three great city-states of Slaver’s Bay and a noted stopping point for ships bound from Qarth to the Free Cities and Westeros.
Lovrijenac Fortress, Croatia (The Red Keep)
A fortress and theater located outside the western wall of the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia, 37 m above sea level becomes The Red Keep. In season one, the scenes of the Red Keep were shot in Malta, but from season two onward the set was moved to Croatia. The bay right in front of the fortress was used for the scene of the Battle of Blackwater.
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Dubrovnik (King’s Landing)
Featuring in most episodes, King’s Landing is an important location in GOT. Dunbrovnik is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. According to CNNGo, Dubrovnik is among the 10 best preserved medieval walled cities in the world. King’s Landing is the site of the Iron Throne and the Red Keep, the seat of the King of the Andals and the First Men.
St. James Cathedral (House of Black and White)
The House of Black and White is in reality ST. James Cathedral. This Cathedral is a triple-nave basilica with three apses and a dome (32 m high inside) in the city of Šibenik, Croatia. Indeed a spectacular location, St. James Cathedral is a great place to visit. Dedicated to the Many-Faced God, the House of Black and White in Braavo also serves as the headquarters of the guild of assassins, known as the Faceless Men.
Minceta Tower (House of the Undying)
The Minčeta Tower is a symbol of the “unconquerable” city of Dubrovnik. By its height and impressive volume, the tower dominates the northwestern high part of the city and its walls. It represents the mysterious House of the Undying in GOT. This is where Daenerys Targaryen seeks the Undying Ones’ counsel following the suggestion of Pyat Pree. Hey, you might get some visions of the past and future!
Vatnajökull (North of the Wall)
Beyond the Wall is in reality Vatnajökull. Also known as the Vatna Glacier, Vatnajökull is the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland, and one of the largest in area in Europe. In GOT Beyond the Wall is a generic term employed by the people of the Seven Kingdoms to refer to the large area of Westeros that lies north of the Wall.
Grjótagjá (‘Jon and Ygritte’s love nest’)
A small lava cave near lake Mývatn with a thermal spring inside, Grjótagjá is a must visit place. Until the 1970s, Grjótagjá was a popular bathing site. Grjótagjá was used as a location for filming the fifth episode of the third season of Game of Thrones, called “Kissed by Fire”. Visit the place with your beloved and be the Jon and Ygritte of real life.
Grjótagjá_caves_in_summer_2009
Lokrum (Qarth)
Lokrum is an island in the Adriatic Sea 600 metres (1,969 feet) from the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. It stretches from northwest to southeast and receives regular ferry service from the city. It is converted into Qarth in GOT and is known as the “Queen of cities”, the greatest city that ever was or will be.” Some of the locations are shot in the Former Benedictine monastery and botanical gardens of Lokrum.
Mussenden Temple and Downhill beach ( Dragonstone)
The recipient of the European Blue Flag and Seaside Award, Downhill Strand is seven miles long beach and is one of the longest in Northern Ireland. Nearby is the Mussenden Temple located on cliffs near Castlerock in County Londonderry.
Both the Mussenden Temple and the Downhill Beach were used in Game of Thrones as the location for the Dragonstone exterior. The burning of the old gods by Melisandre on the beach was shot here. And it was here that Stannis Baratheon draws a flaming sword from the flames, ‘Lightbringer’.
Castle Ward (Winterfell)
Castle Ward is an 18th-century National Trust property located near the village of Strangford, in County Down, Northern Ireland. Castle Ward is open to the public and includes 332 hectares (820 acres) of landscaped gardens, so you can surely visit the Winterfell of your favourite TV series and imagine King Robert Baratheon and his court arrive at Winterfell or evesdrop conversations between King Robert and Ned Stark during their hunting spree.
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The Dark Hedges (The Road from King’s Landing)
One of the most pictersque locations, the Dark Hedges is a beautiful avenue of beech trees planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century. The Dark Hedges become The Road from King’s landing. Disguised as a boy, Arya escapes from the city and you may wish to reenact the scene with your friends just as Yoren, Gendry, Hot Pie joined him.
These were some of the amazing locations from Game of Thrones but as I said, these were just some of them and I will be back with some more in the next part of this blog. Meanwhile, don’t forget to share with us the locations that you love the most from the series.
