Photo. Fort Lovrigenac, also known as St. Lawrence Fortress, one of the locations where Game of Thrones was filmed. The fort dates back to the 11th century. Today it`s used a cultural centre where visitors can attend concerts, theatrical performances, festivals, and more. © Travel Explorations.
Dubrovnik, situated on the coast of Croatia, is a must-visit destination for fans of the hit TV series Game of Thrones. It is the real-life location of King’s Landing, the capital city of the Seven Kingdoms in the show.
"Game of Thrones" is a fantasy television series based on the "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels by George R.R. Martin. The series is created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and displayed on HBO from 2011 to 2019. The series dive into corrupting influence of power, ambitions, honour and betrayals, wars, conflicts, magic and myth. Based on political drama, the series incorporates elements of magic, prophecy, and myth, especially through the presence of dragons, sorcery, and the supernatural threat of the White Walkers.
In Dubrovnik you can enjoy the city's picturesque surroundings and recollect the scenes from the popular HBO TV series. It could be fun to compare some scenes to some of the filming locations as you observed in real life.
I never watched the Games of the Throne, and I think I never will. All lot a friends have seen the series, and they find it interested to hear that I have visited some of the places displaying in the series. It’s just a fiction show. For the who have interest in fantasy will probably be especially fascinated by experiencing the filming locations.
When I returned back home I spent some time watching glimpses from the episode filmed in Dubrovnik. It was fascinating to notice that everything looked so different in the movie. Matching landmarks to their fictional representation can be difficult on your own. Several tour operators offer tours for visiting Game of the Thrones locations. So it could be a good idea to consider joining a guiding tour.
For they who are special interesting in the locations for the filming, can take a Game of Thrones walking tour. It also wonderful way to explore the city and learn a bit about history. There they can discover the beauty of the Old Town, its medieval fortresses, narrow stone streets and beautiful Adriatic sea - see where the popular series was filmed, and recreate your own Game Of Thrones scene. For they who want something extra can even take a Game of Thrones tour with swords and props.
There is a Game of Thrones fan shop in Dubrovnik old town where it`s possible to attend a playroom, buy original souvenirs and sit on an Iron Throne. Many places in the Old Town I could see stores with a sign saying they have “official” Game of Thrones souvenirs: even they have just few things to offer.
Most of the locations can be visited on foot. My first step was entering the Pile Gate – Entrance to King’s Landing. I immediately felt travelled back to medieval times. This gate is the entrance to the Old Town of Dubrovnik and was used as the entrance to King’s Landing in season 2 of Game of Thrones. The gate has historical significance as it dates back to the 16th century and was used as a defence mechanism for the city.
So I walked further to The Stradun where I could continue enjoy my “medieval feeling”. This wide pedestrian-only limestone-paved avenue is one of the most picturesque in the city. It`s surrounded by the Walls of Dubrovnik. The street runs some 300 metres through the Old Town. I also enjoyed walking on the top of the walls. Here I got a good overview from different angles. It`s also possible to take a Game on the Throne boat trips to experience the locations for the filming.
Here are some notable sites in Dubrovnik used in the series:
- Pile Gate: This main entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town appears in several scenes, including the riot in season two.
- City Walls: The fortified walls of Dubrovnik are prominently featured as the walls of King’s Landing.
- Fort Lovrijenac: Known as the Red Keep in the series, this fort is a key location for many scenes, including the Battle of Blackwater.
- St. Dominic Street: Used for market scenes and various city streets of King's Landing.
- Minceta Tower: This tower represents the House of the Undying in Qarth, where Daenerys searches for her dragons.
- Jesuit Staircase: Featured in the iconic “Walk of Shame” scene of Cersei Lannister.
- Rector’s Palace: The palace appears as the setting for the Spice King’s mansion in Qarth.
- Ethnographic Museum Rupe: The exterior served as one of the streets of King’s Landing.
- Bokar Fortress: Used as part of King’s Landing's fortifications and seen in discussions between Tyrion and Varys.
These locations highlight the rich medieval architecture of Dubrovnik, making it magical for the fictional city of King’s Landing. Anyway, without thinking of the locations for the filming, I think the city is magical in itself. Dubrovnik's Old Town is a spectacular journey through history, monuments, culture, and stunning natural beauty. And the best of all: you meet nice and friendly people!
Stein Morten Lund, May 2024
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