The HBO hit show Game of Thrones, based on the epic fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin, captivates audiences with its tales of lust, war and political intrigue.
Most of the show is set in the mystical realm of Westeros, an island continent resembling medieval Britain, while Daenerys goes it on her own in Essos, a continent east of Westeros that has a very distinct Turkish/North African flair.
Because the show is set in another, more magical world, it requires some seriously fantastical filming locations. With season four of the series upon us, let’s take a look at a few of the real-world places that the show’s producers deemed impressive enough to sub for Westeros, Essos and that scary place Beyond the Wall.
Malta as King’s Landing in Season 1.
In the show’s first season, the historic Mediterranean island of Malta was the real-world setting for King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
The historic settlement of Mdina saw its city gate sub for the gate to King’s Landing and the island’s Fort Ricasoli fronts as the exterior of the show’s Red Keep, the castle home of the king of the Seven Kingdoms. Incredibly historic, Malta has an almost surreal history itself as an island base for the Crusade-era Knights Hospitaller who fought to defend the island from Barbary pirates, the Ottoman Empire and even Napoleon himself.
Gozo, Malta, was the site of the Dothraki Wedding in Season 1.
Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, was the setting for the Dothraki Wedding in the show’s first season between protagonist Daenerys Targaryen and the Dothraki king Khal Drogo. The island’s Azure Window, a natural rock arch on the sea, was the spectacular backdrop to the scene.
Part of the reason why Game of Thrones moved production from Malta in its second season was due to controversy over damage to the Azure Window and its ecosystem caused by the show’s contractors. But that aside, rest assured that the Azure Window is still very much a treat for visitors.
Dubrovnik, Croatia, as King’s Landing in Seasons 2-4.
Starting in season two, the Croatian walled city of Dubrovnik became the real-world home to King’s Landing.
One reason behind the set change was the producers’ wish to show more exterior shots of a seaside walled city, and in that regards Dubrovnik was a great move. Once the capital of Ragusa, a historic maritime republic, the old city of Dubrovnik and its walls can be clearly identified in the show, as can several of its historic attractions.
Fort Lovrijenac is the new substitute for the Red Keep, and the bay just outside its walls was the scene for the naval Battle of Blackwater, in which King Stannis Baratheon attempted to invade King’s Landing and dethrone King Joffrey.
Another must-see GoT filming location is the Trsteno Arboretum, which is the seaside garden in King’s Landing where characters like Tyrion and Varys go to work through their intricate plots of deception.
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