Game of Thrones, the hit serial fantasy drama based on A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin continues to prove a cult hit in the UK. The story, which focuses on seven noble families’ fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros, has just finished filming season four. With an ongoing theme of fantasy, history and legends, Croatia was an obvious choice when it came to filming locations. Here are just a few of the spots that have made it into the hit show to date.
Much of season
two and three was filmed in Dubrovnik’s picturesque Old Town, in particular at Fort
Lovrijenac, or St Lawrence’s
Fortress, which overlooks the stunning Dubrovnik coastline and was transformed
into King’s Landing - one of the
shows’ most iconic locations.
Steeped in history and architectural beauty, Old Town Dubrovnik offers
visitors a myriad of unforgettable scenery and experiences. Be it sampling
fresh local oysters brought in from the Island of Ston, or enjoying a
historical tour of the city’s fortress, Dubrovnik offers something to suit
anyone. For a quick daytrip just outside of Dubrovnik, the
park Trsteno Arboretum, is the
majestic garden where the court maidens weave the plot in King’s Landing, and offers a beautiful spot to escape the city’s
crowds and relax.
Fort Lovrijenac has a huge historical significance to the people of
Dubrovnik, as it once protected the city from the Venetians. Fort Lovrijenac
now stages various musical and theatre performance and offers fantastic views
of Old Town Dubrovnik – a must visit for those headed to Croatia! Fort Lovrijenac provided a phenomenal backdrop for locations well
known to Game of Thrones fans, including the Red Keep, Battle of
Blackwater, and the tournament held in honour of Ned Stark in season one of
the show. Within the fortress, Minčeta
Tower is the highest point of the city walls, offering a breath-taking
view of the city. It is also where Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen circled to enter
the House of the Undying; Game of Thrones fans can walk in her footsteps to
recreate their favourite scenes in this incredible fortress.
Lokrum Island, just across the water from Dubrovnik, is another exciting
location, which stood in for the port city of Qarth. The island is a former
monastery and has an interesting legend surrounding it. Lokrum Island is said
to carry a curse which will be placed on anyone who stays overnight on the
island – hence why we suggest you spend the night in Dubrovnik! The legend says
that the monks cursed the land after a French general ordered the monastery to
be closed. In response to this the monks walked around the perimeter of the
island leaving a trail of melted wax chanting ‘whosoever claims Lokrum for his
own personal pleasure shall be dammed’. The island has however become a
fascinating place for day-trippers, and those wishing to visit the port city of
Qarth.
The filming for the
latest season of Game of Thrones has just been wrapped up (season four) along
the picturesque Istria Peninsula – located at the head
of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of
Kvarner. Specifically, filming took place in the quaint fishing village of
Novigrad. This small fishing village on the Adriatic coast is surrounded by historic
walls and a medieval urban plan that lends itself as a backdrop to the many war
scenes in Game of Thrones.
Furthermore, during the last two months, the cast has filmed
action-packed scenes in Split, surrounded by the azure Adriatic Sea. Split was
once the home of Emperor Diocletian, who built an
impressive palace in preparation for his retirement on the 1st of
May 305 AD. After the Romans abandoned this palace, it remained empty for
several centuries. However, in the 7th century, this palace provided refuge for
residents who fled to escape the invasion of the barbarians. Today many
restaurants and shops, and even some homes, can still be found within the
palace walls. Unsurprisingly, this architectural masterpiece has since been
declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding
Split, and exactly how it has been incorporated into the fourth season of Game
of Thrones. In particular, it is believed that the
basement under the Diocletian Palace in the city centre will be one location,
as well as the village of Klis and its mountain fortress. These are suggestions
will be the location for the Kingdom of
Dorne and its capital, Sunspear.
Croatia offers stunning coastlines, beautiful cities, delicious food
and a friendly atmosphere. As well as providing the location for several scenes
from Game of Thrones, this country is a tapestry of history and exciting
experiences for travellers.
