Based on George Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire saga, the team has traveled around the world to find the perfect set. The Skyscanner team followed in their footsteps and figured out exactly where Game of Thrones was filmed. Find out where King's Landing actually is, where the White Walkers come from, and where exactly the Lannisters are paying their debts.
Lovrienac Fortress - Red Castle
In the first season of Game of Thrones, the Red Castle was actually located in Malta, but from the second season the team decided to move the throne room to the capital (Red Harbor / Dubrovnik). Lovrijenac Fortress rises on a 37-meter cliff, a five-minute walk from the old town of Dubrovnik. The fortress is separated from the city by a small bay, where field shooting of the Battle of the Blackwater took place.
Interesting fact: at the entrance to the fortress there is an old inscription in Latin "Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro" (Freedom is not sold for gold). This is the motto of the Dubrovnik Republic, which clearly contradicts the quirks of young Joffrey and the Lannister ideology.
Mincheta Tower - House of the Immortals
The headquarters of the sorcerers of Quart, the mysterious House of the Immortals, is actually located literally a stone's throw from the Iron Throne - in the Mincheta Tower in Dubrovnik. The plots of the second season of the series and the second book of the saga diverge slightly. But the visions of Daenerys and the fate of the sorcerers from the House of the Immortals are the same in both versions.
Alcazar of Seville - Water Gardens, Dorn
Against the backdrop of the rugged fortresses of King's Harbor (Dubrovnik), the parks and palaces of Dorn (Seville) are a great way to highlight the wealth of House Martell and explain why the Lannisters are so interested in them. In the fifth season, cinematic magic turned a beautiful Seville Alcazar to Water Gardens - a luxurious country estate of the Martells. Young Sand Snakes frolic in the gardens and swimming pools of the palace, while adults weave intrigues in the cool marble halls... And the action of several episodes takes place in the underground reservoir of the palace, reminiscent of the Istanbul Basilica Cistern.
Roman Bridge, Cordoba - Long Bridge, Volantis
The largest of the Free Cities in Game of Thrones is Cordoba, and its magnificent Roman Bridge served as the Long Bridge for the film crew. And although the Spanish river Guadalquivir is several times smaller than the fictional Roina, the guys from HBO have long proved that they are not embarrassed by such trifles.
Mageramorn - Black Castle and Harsh House
Mageramorn in County Antrim can hardly be called even a village - for example, a couple of houses near an abandoned limestone quarry. Life returned to this dreary place in 2014 with the Game of Thrones crew, Jon Snow and The Ravens. The quarry warehouses served as decorations for the Black Castle barracks. And on the shore of the bay in the fifth season of the series, as we learned, there will be a battle that was not in the book - the battle with the Others at the Severe House, one of the abandoned fortresses of the Watch.
Split - King's Landing
Some scenes of the fifth season were filmed in luxurious palace Diocletian in Split. The SkyScanner managed to figure out that Cersei Lannister will be involved, but what exactly will happen, we cannot say. However, knowing the cute character of the lioness, this is unlikely to be something good.
The Split suburb, Zrnovnica, has already appeared in Game of Thrones. The steep cliff of the old stone quarry served as the backdrop for the scenes of the conquest of Meereen and the rapid battle of the foot Daario with the champion rider of the city of the Great Lords.
Klis Fortress - Meereen
Before Game of Thrones medieval castle Klis, 15 km from Split, was not spoiled by the attention of tourists - the fortifications are dilapidated, the fortress itself is small, and it is difficult to climb to it. Actually, you could estimate the steepness of the ascent yourself - the scene of the crucifixion of the Great Lords Meerin on the crosses along the mountain road was filmed at the foot of Klis. The fortress itself will only be captured in the fifth season - on one of its viewing platforms the city market of Meerin will be located.
Sibenik - Braavos
Šibenik will only appear in Game of Thrones in season five. A modest Croatian resort got the role of Braavos - the richest of the Free Cities. Here are the headquarters of two important organizations of Westeros at once: the powerful Iron Bank and the secret order of the Faceless Assassins. Therefore, when you see in the series one of the surviving members of the Stark clan in the temple of the Many-Faced - you know, this is happening in Sibenik.
Krka National Park - Landscapes of Westeros
The enchanting landscapes of Krka National Park can be seen in several of the series' outdoor scenes. Krka is somewhat reminiscent of the famous Plitvice Lakes, and it is not surprising that the film crew could not pass by the turquoise lagoons, lush greenery and eight picturesque waterfalls.
Atlas Studios, Ouarzazate - Free Cities and Slaver's Bay
Atlas Film Studio holds the record for the area of all film studios in the world. 20 hectares of its filming areas are located 5 km from Moroccan Ouarzazate and it is unclear what exactly attracts tourists more: the city itself or its studio. In addition to Game of Thrones, Atlas has filmed Spy Games, Gladiator, Babylon and Prince of Persia, and Ridley Scott and Brad Pitt are almost regulars here.
Azure Window - Daenerys and Drogo's wedding
One of the symbols of Malta is called the "Azure Window" - a 50-meter rocky arch of natural origin on the island of Gozo. The creators of Game of Thrones chose this location to shoot Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo's beautiful wedding in the first season of the series. But they were not pioneers, before them episodes of many films were filmed here: from "Clash of the Titans" to "Odyssey" by Andrei Konchalovsky.
Ballintoy Bay - Lordsport
The tiny fishing village of Ballintoy is one of the most scenic spots on the coast of County Antrim. In the series, the village port and Ballintoy Harbor are transformed into Lordsport on Pike, one of the Iron islands... Here in the second season, Theon Greyjoy goes ashore, arriving for negotiations with his father, from here he sails a few episodes later.
Verdala Palace - Pentos, home of Illyrio Mopatis
At the very beginning of the first season of "Game of Thrones" young Daenerys and her brother Viserys are visiting Illyrio Mopatis (it is he who will introduce the Targaryens to Khal Drogo). Filming of these scenes took place in the summer residence of the President of Malta - in the beautiful gardens of the Verdal Palace. The palace is closed to tourists, but you can walk in the garden and try to imagine that somewhere in the gazebo behind the trees, Daenerys is resting.
Castle of Saint Florentina - Horns Hill
The fancy castle of Saint Florentina in Game of Thrones was given the role of the stronghold of the Tarly House. According to rumors from the set, an epic battle will unfold here in the sixth season of "Game of Thrones". And although in the book by George Martin Rogov Holm got not so much action, the plot of the series is not the first time at odds with her. So, perhaps, the rumors have grounds, and at home fat Sam will have serious passions. Be that as it may, the Castle of Santa Florentina is a cozy and surprisingly beautiful place, and it is definitely worth getting out here if you find yourself in Barcelona or on the Costa Brava.
Castle Ward - Winterfell
The grounds of the luxurious Ward Castle on the shores of Strangford Loch served as a film set for the courtyard of Winterfell Castle. Here, among other things, they filmed the scene of the arrival of Robert Baratheon with his retinue at the Stark family estate.
Kushendan Cave - Stormlands
This beautiful gloomy cave in northeastern Ireland can be seen in the second season of Game of Thrones. By order of Stannis, Davos Seaworth brings Lady Melisandre here. Here he realizes what kind of monsters the red priestess can spawn, and how these creatures can affect the course of the war.
Dark Hedges - Royal Route
Dark Hedges is arguably the most beautiful beech tree alley in the world. The trees were planted back in the 18th century to impress visitors to Grayshill Castle. The idea was so successful that it outlived its creators and still amazes tourists - Dark Hedges is considered one of the most frequently photographed places in Northern Ireland.
In Game of Thrones, this scenic road became the Royal Route, the main transport artery of Westeros, from Storm's Reach in the south to the Wall in the north. You can see her in the first and second seasons of the series, for example, in the episode when, disguised as a boy, Arya goes to join the Night Watch, accompanied by Yoren, Gendry and Jaaken Hgar.
Dimmuborger - Wildling Camp
A stone's throw from the Gryotagya grotto, on the shores of Lake Mivan, are the Dimmuborger lava fields. The landscapes here are gloomy lifeless, and it is not surprising that in Icelandic folklore Dimmuborger is considered both a devilish place and the birthplace of bloodthirsty trolls. However, the creators of "Game of Thrones" inhabited these harsh rocks with not the most welcoming characters - in the series, Mans Raider, the king of the Wildlings, set up his camp here.
Doon Castle - Winterfell
Dun Castle is a medieval fortress of the Stuart dynasty. It is located not far from Stirling and the sites of the famous battles for the independence of Scotland with the participation of William Wallace ("Braveheart"). Long before it landed the role of Winterfell in Game of Thrones, the castle was the star of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
The fortress's fate is in many ways similar to the fate of Winterfell - after the Stuart family lost its influence, the castle fell into a deplorable state. But what can you do, valar morgulis.
Essaouira - Astapor
In Game of Thrones, Astapor is located south of Yunkai, but in reality Essaouira lies west of Ait Ben Haddou, on the Atlantic coast. It was here, on the walls of the city fortress, that Daenerys negotiated the purchase of an army of the Unsullied.
Ironically, in the real world in the 1960s, Jimi Hendrix and Kat Stevens turned a fictional city of slave traders into a center of pilgrimage for hippies around the world. A relaxed atmosphere has been preserved in Essaouira to this day, and tourists enjoy visiting this small fishing town.
Fort Manoel - Great Sept of Baylor
This medieval fortress of the Knights of Malta guards the entrance to Marsamxett harbor west of Valletta. In the world of Westeros, the fort became the Great Sept of Baylor - the main temple King's Landing and the seat of the Great Septon.
Fort Manoel is shown repeatedly in Game of Thrones. On the steps of the Great Sept, the culminating scene of the first season of the series (the one with the participation of Sean Bean) was filmed.
Fort Sant'Angelo - catacombs of the Red Castle
No one knows exactly when the "Sea Castle" was built, as this majestic fortress was once called in the Maltese city of Birgu. But it is known that in the Middle Ages Fort Sant'Angelo already served as the residence of the Grand Master of the Knightly Order of the Hospitallers.
In the first season of Game of Thrones, the interior of the fort can be seen in the episode when Arya chases a cat through the Red Castle and enters the dungeons with dragon skulls.
Fort Ricasoli - Red Castle
Fort Ricasoli was built in Malta by the Knights of the Hospitaller Order in the 17th century. Since then, the fortress has withstood many sieges and battles, including the Second World War. With each attack, the fortifications were dilapidated, and to this day the fort has survived in a deplorable state, so visitors are not allowed inside. But for film crews, exceptions are made, and Ricasoli has already become the star of films such as Troy and Gladiator. And in the first season of Game of Thrones, the fort got the role of the Red Castle in King's Landing.
Peñiscola - Meereen
From a bird's eye view, the charming Spanish village of Peñiscola resembles the main postcard view of Montenegro - Sveti Stefan. Narrow sand spit leads to the islet, where the majestic castle from the time of the Templars was established. The majestic medieval fortress seems to grow straight from seabed like a volcanic island. In Game of Thrones, Peñiscola is richly seasoned with special effects and served under the guise of Meereen and Dorn.
Gryotagya - "You Know Nothing, Jon Snow"
In the new season of Game of Thrones, we are unlikely to see this picturesque grotto again, but it is definitely worth a visit in real travel across Iceland. The volcanic cave with the furious name Grjótagjá is located in the north-east of Iceland near Lake Miwan. Outside, there is almost always snow and ice, but the water temperature in the pool sometimes reaches + 50 °. Tourists are freely allowed to Gryotagya, and this a great opportunity add romance to your Iceland trip, and repeat the feat of John and Ygritte with your loved one.
Larribane - Stormlands
Larribane is one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in Northern Ireland. Sheer cliffs, rising directly from the sea, leave no one indifferent. Even the producers of "Game of Thrones", who staged another geographic anomaly of Westeros here: in real life the Iron Islands (Ballintoy Village) to Stormlands (Larribane) can be reached in half an hour on foot.
Lokrum - Kvart
The role of Quart - an oasis city in the middle of the desert - was played by the picturesque islet of Lokrum in the middle of Adriatic sea... The lush vegetation of the parks and gardens where Daenerys walked with Xaro is actually the Mediterranean flora of the local botanical garden... And if in the "Game of Thrones" travelers who were not allowed outside the gates of Quart remained forever in the "Garden of Bones", then in reality a tourist who did not get to the island will continue to have fun a kilometer away, in Dubrovnik.
Ait Ben Haddou - Yunkai and Pentos
You can repeat Daenerys Targaryen's journey through the Free Cities and the Gulf of Slavers in Morocco. Moroccan ksar (fortified city) Ait Ben Haddou rises on a hill in the middle of a hot desert 100 km from Marrakech. In ancient times, trade caravans entered the fortress, and now tourists and filmmakers have chosen it.
This Moroccan fortress is not the first time to host film crews. Jesus of Nazareth, Pearl of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander are just the beginning of a list of films that have been filmed here since the 1960s.
In Game of Thrones, Ait-Ben-Haddou served as the scenery for two cities at once: Yunkai, a thriving slave trade, and free Pentos.
Mdina's Gate - Gateway to King's Landing
Mdine, ancient capital Malta, for over 4,000 years. From a kaleidoscope of kingdoms and empires, the city has preserved a scattering of beautiful medieval buildings and cathedrals, covered with fortress walls. One of the city's main attractions is the imposing gateway within these very walls, which the creators of Game of Thrones turned into the gateway to the capital of Westeros.
Murlow Bay - Iron Islands
In clear weather, the islands of Scotland are clearly visible from the shores of Murlow Bay in northeastern Ireland. The film crew of the series chose these lands for the location filming of the Iron Islands. Almost all scenes with Theon Greyjoy on Pike are filmed here.
Massenden Temple and Downhill Beach - Dragonstone
Few expect beautiful things from Northern Ireland sandy beaches... But they do exist, and Downhill is one of them. This 11-kilometer-long beach is known, first of all, for the Massenden Temple - a neat round building standing alone on a high cliff on the Atlantic coast.
The beach and the temple were captured during the shooting of nature scenes on Dragonstone. Remember how Melisandre burned the old gods on the beach? Now, this is the place.
Dubrovnik - King's Landing
With the release of Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has turned from the tourist capital of Croatia into the real capital of Westeros. Not surprisingly, the producers chose this particular location for the location filming of King's Landing: Old city Dubrovnik is a perfectly preserved castle with a massive fortress wall, resting right into the sea. Fortunately for the townspeople and the local tourism board, the wildfire from season 3 of the series is just special effects.
Osuna Bullring - Meereen Arena
The climactic scene of the ninth episode of the fifth season is filmed in the bullring in Osuna. It was not bulls at all that took part in that bullfight, but this only made it more spectacular. Series producer D.B. Weiss once admitted that it took 17 days to shoot the scene, even without post-processing and special effects. Tourists and Game of Thrones fans have flocked to Osuna since the show's season 5 aired. The owners of the local restaurant Casa Curro reacted to the situation immediately and changed the names of the dishes on the menu to Khaleesi, Melisandre and Jon Snow.
San Anton Palace - Red Castle
Once again, the Game of Thrones team disturbed the President of Malta. This time he had to give up his official residence - the San Anton Palace in Attard. You can see him in several episodes of the first season, for example, in the scene of the arrival of the Starks in King's Landing or in the episode when Varys and Littlefinger assure Eddard Stark that the Golden Cloaks are completely subordinate to him. But you will not be able to look at the presidential chambers - the palace was rented only from the outside.
Almerian Fortress - Dorn
In the sixth season of the series, another attraction of southern Spain debuts - alcazaba in Almeria. The fortress has already passed for a thousand years, and during this time it passed from hand to hand dozens of times. In 2016, she found herself in the possession of the Martell dynasty - the sovereign masters of Dorn.
Bardenas Reales - Dothraki Sea
Mesmerizing desert landscapes natural park Bardenas Reales, in northern Spain, is ideal as the backdrop for Game of Thrones. In the sixth season of the series, they can be admired under the guise of the Dothraki Sea, where Daenerys will meet with a hostile Khalasar.
Safra Castle - Tower of Joy
In the real world, the tower of the Zafra fortress pierces the skies of the province of Guadalajara or "Spanish Siberia", as these places were nicknamed for the harsh winters. In the "Song of Ice and Fire" universe, the Tower of Joy rises in the middle of the Red Mountains on the border of Expanse and Dorn. According to the plot of the book, Ned Stark destroyed the Tower of Joy even before the coronation of Robert Baratheon. Therefore, in the series, we are most likely waiting for a flashback of one of the heroes, and the Safra castle will be shown in his memories.
Groan - King's Landing
The village of Ston in southern Croatia in the fifth season of "Game of Thrones" has become the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Its fortress wall and tiled roofs, richly flavored with special effects, became part of King's Landing. Curiously, the real Wall in Stone may well compete with the fictional Wall from the George Martin saga. In the Middle Ages, this 5.5 km long rampart with 40 towers and 5 fortresses defended the Dubrovnik Republic from the raids of the wildlings of that time - the Ottomans.
Thingvellir National Park - Riverlands
Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a special meaning for every Icelander. Here for a thousand years the popular assembly "althing" gathered, here in 1000 the Icelanders converted to Christianity and here in 1944 they proclaimed the independence of the country.
Thingvellir is considered one of the main attractions of the country (included in gold ring Iceland), but first appeared in "Game of Thrones" only in the fourth season. And looking at the villages of the Riverlands, through which the Dog Clegane and his companion from the Stark clan travel, you can find out what the hot Icelandic summer looks like.
Tollimore Forest Park - Forests of the North
630 hectares of forests in Tollimore Park at the foot of the Morne Ridge - perfect place for walking or even hiking in Northern Ireland. Mountain river, caves, grottoes and beautiful marine species attracted here and the production team of the series. In Game of Thrones, Tollimore can be seen several times, notably in Episode 1, when the Starks find direwolf puppies.
Trsteno Arboretum - King's Landing
For a stroll in the Kings Landing Gardens, head to the village of Trsteno, 10 km from Dubrovnik. The aqueduct and pavilions, fountains with statues and vine-covered galleries, in the shadow of which Lord Varys and Tyrion intrigued, are located in the local arboretum.
Vatnajökull - Lands Beyond the Wall
The uninhabited snowy wastelands of Iceland's largest glacier served as the backdrop for the Lands Beyond the Wall. The Vatnajökyl Ice Cap reliably shelters several dormant volcanoes, and national park infrastructure is actively developing, hotels and restaurants for tourists are being built. And no one seems to be bothered that the Others may appear at any moment.
Höfdabrekka, Vic and Mirdalur - Fangs of Frost
Höfdabrekka is a popular tourist "resort" in the south of Iceland, with black sand beaches and a water temperature not conducive to swimming. As befits any self-respecting Icelandic city, Vik boasts a glacier with an unpronounceable name (Myrdalsjökull) and active volcano(Katla). And, like elsewhere in Iceland, the Game of Thrones film crew only had to work a few hours a day here due to the short daylight hours.
Let's go on a journey in the footsteps of the heroes of our favorite TV series
The team of the series has traveled half the world in search of the most picturesque places for filming. We invite fans of the film to follow in their footsteps. What is needed for this? Buy air tickets, book places in hotels - and we go to travel. Today we go to Spain, invites you on a trip "Know."
Spain made its debut only in the fifth season of "Game of Thrones", but immediately in the lead role. Seville on the screens turned into the capital of Dorn, and the town of Osuna halfway to Malaga - Daenerys dragons flew over its bullring.
1. Peñiscola - Meereen
The Spanish village of Peñiscola is a narrow sand spit that leads to an islet where a majestic Templar castle was established. The medieval fortress seems to grow straight out of the sea, like a volcanic island. In Game of Thrones, Peñiscola, richly seasoned with special effects, played the role of Meereen and Dorn.
2. Almerian Fortress - Dorn
In the sixth season of the series, another attraction of southern Spain debuts - alcazaba in Almeria. The fortress has already passed for a thousand years, and during this time it passed from hand to hand dozens of times. In 2016, she fell under the rule of the Martell dynasty - the rulers of Dorn.
3. Bardenas Reales - Dothraki Sea
The mesmerizing desert landscapes of the Bardenas Reales Natural Park in northern Spain are ideal as the backdrop for Game of Thrones. In the sixth season of the series, the Dothraki Sea will stretch here, where Daenerys will meet with a hostile Khalasar.
4. Safra Castle - Tower of Joy
The tower of the Safra fortress in the province of Guadalajara once divided the border between the Christian and Muslim territories of Spain. In the "Song of Ice and Fire" universe, the Tower of Joy rises in the middle of the Red Mountains on the border of Expanse and Dorn.
5. Castle of St. Florentina - Horns Hill
The fancy castle of Saint Florentina in Game of Thrones was given the role of the stronghold of the Tarly house, where Sam was born. The castle is amazingly beautiful and is definitely worth getting out here if you find yourself in Barcelona or the Costa Brava - even if you are not a fan of IP.
6. Alcazar of Seville - Water Gardens, Dorn
In season five, cinematic magic transformed the beautiful Alcazar of Seville into the Water Gardens, a lavish Martell country estate. Young Sand Snakes frolic in the gardens and pools of the palace, while adults intrigue in the cool marble halls.
7. Osuna bullring - Meereen's arena
The climactic scene of the ninth episode of the fifth season is filmed in the bullring in Osuna. Series producer D.B. Weiss admitted that it took 17 days to shoot the scene - and this does not include post-processing and special effects. Tourists and Game of Thrones fans have flocked to Osuna since the show's season 5 aired. The owners of the local restaurant immediately got their bearings and changed the names of the dishes on the menu to Khaleesi, Melisandre and Jon Snow.
8. Roman Bridge, Cordoba - Long Bridge, Volantis
The largest of the Free Cities in Game of Thrones is Cordoba, and its magnificent Roman Bridge served as the Long Bridge for the film crew. And although the Spanish river Guadalquivir is several times smaller than the fictional Roina, the magic of cinema changes everything.
Dorn's water gardens from the Game of Thrones television series are not expensive studio sets, but centuries-old picturesque palaces and colorful parks in Seville, Spain. One glance at all this luxury and beauty is enough to understand why the Lannisters were so interested in forging a relationship with the Martells. So let's take a look behind the scenes.
Real fever swept the world from the very first episode of "Game of Thrones" - a television adaptation of the cycle of novels "A Song of Ice and Fire" by American writer George Martin. However, a captivating plot is just one of the ingredients for success. When choosing locations for filming, the creators of the TV project David Benioff and D.B. Weiss paid attention to the uniqueness and originality of this or that place, which conveys a certain emotional atmosphere. Thus, for example, the water gardens of Dorn are not expensive studio decorations, but centuries-old picturesque palaces and colorful parks of Alcázar de Sevilla - the royal alcazar of Spanish Seville.
Doran Martell and Ellaria Sand during a heated conversation. The lush gardens of the Alcazar create the right fairytale setting for a movie.
Gardens with history
The amazing gardens laid out around the Alcazar are located on terraces, filled with silence and comfort. This magnificent garden and park complex consists of several independent gardens: Garden of Mercury, Garden of the Marquis de la Vega Inclan, Big garden, Garden of the Cross, Garden of Galera, Garden of Troy, Orange Grove, Garden of Flowers, Garden of Poets, Labyrinth and others. The gardens were laid out here in the 9th century, during the Arab rule, and have changed throughout its history. Thus, in their appearance there are features of many styles - Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque. The gardens are located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, which A.S. Pushkin. It is the only navigable river to the city of Seville. The landscape gardening ensemble, derived from Mediterranean culture, has mixed a wide variety of styles, depending on the moods and preferences of the kings who erected their residences here. The upper chambers of the Alcazar are still used by the royal family as their official residence in Seville.
The mixture of Moorish architecture and colorful mosaics with Arabic ornaments has become defining in the appearance of the Alcazar. Sculptural elements like this fountain attract attention with their sophistication.
Before getting in, enjoy the architecture of the Seville Alcazar - an ensemble of royal palaces with a thousand-year history. The modern appearance of the Alcazar began to take shape at the beginning of the 8th century, after the conquest of Seville by the Arabs. In the 11th and 12th centuries, craftsmen from Toledo and Granada, as well as local builders, added other buildings to the Alcazar ensemble, such as the Palace of the Venedictines, as well as luxurious courtyards.
Light-colored architecture with orange touches creates a breathtaking contrast to the rich greens that vegetable world Alcazar.
If you look at the beauty of the sprawling gardens from the balconies, you will certainly notice the uniqueness of the complex, which has absorbed the features of many eras. What was your choice? To the Moorish Patio del Crucero - an old courtyard from the 12th century? Or maybe the modern complexes of English, the garden of poets or the garden of the Marquis de la Vega Inclan (de la Vega Inclan)?
The spacious gardens of the Seville Alcazar have many small, inconspicuous features: there is frequent use of old columns, arches, a large number fountains, reservoirs. Old trees and palms impress with their grandeur, inviting guests into their saving shade.
The overall ensemble of the gardens is amazing. Here delicate carved arches, cozy balconies, greenery and the blueness of the water coexist so harmoniously that such a place can be safely called paradise! A beautiful gallery runs through the entire complex, where palm trees, orange and lemon trees, slender cypresses, alternating with neatly trimmed jasmine bushes, are intricately intertwined. The presence of a large number of citrus trees and bodies of water creates a feeling of coolness.
The hedge forms a picturesque labyrinth.
In addition to 170 species of exotic plants that grow on an area of over 60,000 m2, in the gardens you can see a whole gallery of grottoes, sculptures, canals and ponds, fountains, such as the Neptune fountain in the Dam Garden.
One of the parts of the garden complex is the magnificent Mercury Pond. It is located just above the garden area, so it seems that the statue of the god Mercury, installed in the center of the pond, is, as it were, watching everything that happens.
In the flower garden, there is another picturesque pond decorated with tiles.
And under the patio del Crusero there are Baños de Doña María de Padilla rainwater collection tanks. They got their name in honor of the beloved Pedro the Cruel, who took baths here.
You can walk around endlessly. Closing your eyes for a moment, you can quite clearly travel back to past centuries and imagine how kings Alphonse X., Pedro I or Charles V walked here, who could tell us their heartbreaking stories. Did you know that the Prince's garden got its name because Queen Isabella of Castile gave birth to her son Juan in a room whose windows overlooked this very garden? Is there a gazebo in the Jardín del Cenador garden, where Charles V loved to spend his summer evenings?
Game of Thrones water gardens and reality
In Game of Thrones, the lush and verdant region of Dorn, both geographically and climatically, is the exact opposite of the austere and austere fortresses of the North, where the story of the series begins. Exhausting heat reigns here, and the landscape bears the imprint of desert and constant drought. The exception is the aquatic gardens, which are located in the eastern part of the region, in the southeast of the capital Sunspear, on the coast Of the summer sea... Dornish prince Doran Martell lives here, who suffered from gout and lost the ability to walk and therefore moves in a wheelchair.
Doran Martell is the head of House Martell. His people and his own family are rather negative about his excessive calmness. He spends most of his time in the water gardens, watching the frolicking children.
In both the book and the series, the water gardens serve as an oasis of tranquility in the heart of an uninhabitable country, combining Arabic and Moroccan influences. The lords of Dorn rest here, their minor children and bastards live, as well as the children of lords and merchants. The palace of pale pink marble stands on the seashore. There are many ponds and fountains in which children splash, hiding from the scorching sun in the shade of spreading palms.
One of the fabulous corners of the aquatic gardens. The pillared entrance, overgrown with lush southern vegetation, is a place where you can be alone with yourself and read an interesting book.
“We are very fortunate to find a suitable location for filming because the Spanish government has consistently turned down offers to film in the Alcazar in the past,” says Michael Slovis, director of the first two episodes. For the entire film crew - from make-up artists, costume designers and to actors - the filming location turned out to be a real godsend.
Jaime Lannister was accompanied in his ventures by the professional mercenary Bronn (played by Jerome Flynn), whose heart was won by one of the Snakes - Tiena.
Nell Tiger Free, who plays Myrcella Baratheon, spoke about her first impression of the filming location: “When I first visited the Alcazar, I was breathtaking. The Seville Alcazar simply dazzled with its lavish architecture and lush gardens. " The colors and ornaments of the palace complex were inspired by the costumes, which absorbed all the originality of Spain in the 14th - 15th centuries. So, in the clothes of the Dornians, yellow and orange shades predominate in combination with big amount curls and decorative stitches.
Tyene - one of the three "Sand Snakes" - surrounded by the guards of House Martell. Nymeria, Obara and Tiena are illegitimate daughters of the Dornish prince Oberyn Martell.
Ser Jaime Lannister, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, also honored the water gardens with his presence. However, his reception turned out to be a little rude.
Filming its fifth season in the beautiful Alcazar of Seville, the film crew made a high commitment because this magnificent landscaped complex is part of the ancient royal palaces of Europe, which is still used by the Spanish royal family as a residence when they stay in Seville. In addition, the architecture and gardens of the Alcazar correspond to the era of the Moors, and in its entire history only in the 14th century its appearance underwent some changes that have survived to our times. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Royal Alcazar of Seville in 1987 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
So, one of the objects that are simply must-see if you happen to be in Seville is the Seville Alcazar - a former fortress-fort of the Moors, which was expanded many times during the reign of the Moors and was completed and rebuilt during the period of Spanish rule. The fortress itself is smaller than the Granada Alhambra, which I have already told, but there are no less examples of the magnificent Mudejar style and, of course, I liked the gardens much more, not to mention the Martells, who lived here at the behest of the director) But, to the Martells and Dorn we will be back, but now let's take a walk around the lovely fortress.
The first place we get when entering the Alcazar is a small covered courtyard
Here, in a small covered gallery, a collection of fans from all eras and countries was exhibited) Several samples that I photographed:
Well, even though the heat was conducive to fanning, we could only admire them and continue our journey through the fortress. The oldest premises of the Alcazar is the Hall of Justice, under Muslim rule, the Council of Viziers gathered here, but Alfonso XI, after the conquest, remade the hall as a symbol of victory over the Muslims.
And, of course, such beloved azulejos
King Pedro I, in this room, killed his half-brother Don Fadrique, and Don Fadrique's twin Enrique after some time killed King Pedro I and crowned himself as King Enrique II of Castile. Truly a hall of justice, isn't it? According to legend, it was after the murder of Don Fadrique that his blood gave this fountain a slightly pinkish tint.
Just a stunningly graceful wooden ceiling
And just a stunning combination of azulejos with the finest stone carvings
Through a small courtyard we get to the Palace of Pedro I
Admiral's rooms, like most of the building of the Alcazar, in addition to the already described Hall of Justice and the adjacent courtyard, was built not under the Almohads, but mainly under the reign of Pedro I, who gathered Moorish artisans from different parts of Spain. According to one of the versions, paradoxically, the ruler of Granada, Mohammed V, sent his artisans in exchange for the king's military support (support from whom is not entirely clear)) and either thanks to his artisans, or convicts who worked here on one of the azulejos at the entrance to the palace flaunts an inscription in Arabic "There is no winner but Allah." However, the Admiral's rooms themselves, excluding the ceiling, do little to reflect the Mudejar style.
Here comes the stunning starry ceiling
This is how these stars look up close.
But such luxurious stairs, lined with azulejos and decorated with tapestries, lead to the second floor
A small hunting courtyard, absolutely the same azulejos adorned the Myrtle courtyard of the Alhambra
And again mukarnas, though not so obvious and colorful
Lobby
The ceiling is very beautiful, but unfortunately my camera did not capture it, photo from the net (http://funkystock.photoshelter.com)
Another wonderful ceiling of the Virgins courtyard
The next room is the Royal Alcove, with amazing pseudo-cats
And, probably, the most luxurious Ambassador's Hall
The name of the room was also perfect for Game of Thrones - it was here that the Martells hosted Jaime Lanister)
Here Areo Hotah has a "sincere" conversation with Ellaria Sand
By the way, it is interesting that Siddig Alexander, who played Doran Martell, starred here in Ridley Scott's “Kingdom of Heaven” as Imad. And in the "Kingdom of Heaven" Nicholas Koster-Valdau and Ian Glen played, but they did not get into the Alcazar) Such are the parallels between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Game of Thrones) And here are a few scenes from "The Kingdom of Heaven" also filmed in Alcazar
Well, if the Martells or Lannisters were admiring the ceiling, they would see such splendor
And ornate arches
And more pseudo-cats in the neighboring rooms
Well, during the period when the Martels did not receive guests, they apparently rested in the Water Gardens)
Or confessed their love
We will follow their example, there is no love to confess, but to rest)
The gardens of the Alcazar were such an outlet in sultry Seville that we wandered around them for three hours completely forgetting about everything, including the camera, and do not regret it at all. Periodically, when moving from one garden to another, and here they are all differently called the Garden of Flowers, the Prince's Courtyard, the Garden of the Pond of Mercury, etc., everything is very poetic, we found ourselves in different small pavilions also tiled. The culture of gardens with fountains and tiles, roses, arches and trees was brought to Spain by the Moors, whose gardens were called upon to personify paradise in a sultry climate. We wandered through the paradise gardens of the Almohads and the water gardens of the Martells and went on to walk around Seville, drink granizados and enjoy lovely Sevillian women in festive outfits.
PS: Since we went to the Game of Thrones - remember my post about Cordoba and the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir? Here he is in the role Long bridge Volantis)
