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Post-Game of Thrones Finale, Check Out the Show's Real-World Filming Locations

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As the Game of Thrones universe continues to expand episode after episode, and character arcs crash together—as they did in last night's climactic (and controversial!) fifth-season finale—it becomes clear where much of the show's blockbuster budget is going: travel. While the animated map in the show's opening credits is impressive, the real journey is the one that's been undertaken by the cast and crew, who have traveled across Europe, from Iceland to Morocco, to shoot across a vast range of terrains and places with names just as fantastical as those imagined by George R.R. Martin. With a hat tip to Lawrence of Morocco, who compiled a list of filming sites, we present the real-world equivalent to the map of Westeros: from the Water Gardens (a Moorish castle in Seville) to Jon Snow and Ygritte's Love Cave (a thermal spring in Iceland), here's a chance to explore the show's varied landscapes.


· Games of Thrones Character Names Make for Some Destructive-Sounding Ikea Furniture [Curbed]
· Game of Thrones, D.C. Style: Where Would the Landmarks Be? [Curbed DC]
· Game of Thrones is secretly all about climate change [Vox]

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Astapor

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A coastal city that's been inhabited since prehistoric times due to its natural harbor, Essaouria is known as "the wall" in Arabic due to the natural fortress that encloses the original town center. Not only was it an ideal site for producers to replicate the Slaver's Bay city of Astapor, but it's also a longtime cultural center and was a hippie hangout in the '60s that attracted Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens.

A trading crossroads in Morocco, Ouarzazate, nicknamed the door to the desert, didn't find its first moment in the spotlight via Game of Thrones. Home to Atlas Studios, the city's rugged terrain and casbahs have formed the backdrops for numerous films, from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator.

Yunkai and Pentos

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A UNESCO World Heritage site, this fortified clay city was used as a set for many scenes featuring Daenerys Targaryen.

Winterfell

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Bran Stark may get chills thinking of this location, a 14th-century castle built for Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany. Film fans may have seen this spot before: it played the role of Camelot in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Dothraki Sea

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A series of nine valleys in Northern Ireland, the Glens are a major tourist attraction due to their natural beauty and made for a fitting backdrop for the nomadic Dothraki.

Castle Black and Hardhome

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The rough terrain of this abandoned limestone quarry made an ideal setting for scenes set in the inhospitable north of Westeros, including the Wall and Hardhome. Maybe when things cool off, the Night's Watch could take a page form the books of the quarries current owners, who have plans to turn it into a cycling and scuba center.

Shooting of the Direwolf

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This private home in Ballycarry, Northern Ireland, Redhall Estates, used for scenes early in the first season, can be rented out for weddings. On second thought, a Game of Thrones wedding is probably a pretty bad idea.

Tournament Scene

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Located on the edge of Lough Neagh, this 14th-century castle was the site of the jousting scene where Gregor Clegane beheaded a horse.

Burning of the Seven

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Based on the Temple of Vesta in Italy, this circular structure looking over the Atlantic was used as a stand-in for Dragonstone, where Melisandre burned the old gods. Perhaps a beach BBQ would be more fitting in real life.

Winterfell

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One of many buildings that have played the role of Winterfell in the series, Castle Ward has its own interesting backstory. The two-faced design, split between classical and Gothic styles, was the results of a couple, Lord Bangor and Lady Ann Bligh, compromising on the look of their home.

Forests in the North

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This renowned state park, celebrated for its natural beauty and numerous stone bridges and structures, has been named one of the best picnic sites in the region.

Lordsport

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This tiny village on Northern Ireland's northern coast served as a port town in the Isle of Pyke, in the Iron Isles.

The Stormlands

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This chalk quarry was the site of Renly's war camp.

Iron Island

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These roughhewn, scenic cliffs were used for scenes replicating the Iron Isles.

The Stormlands and Road to King's Landing

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Two sites at the northern tip of the Irish isle make for dramatic backdrops. The creepy woodlands of the Dark Hedges represent the pathway to King's Landing (foreshadowing), while the Cushendun Caves served as the site where Melisandre had her baby.

Daenerys and Drogo's Wedding

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This limestone arch on the island of Gozo in Malta formed the backdrop for a pivotal (non-lethal) wedding. More than 300 feet talk, it's slowly eroding and may one day be the Azure Pinnacle.

King's Landing Gate

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Known as "the Silent City," the ancient walled fortress-city of Mdina has been inhabited for millennia. Supposedly St. Paul the Apostle lived here in 60 AD after being shipwrecked off the coast.

Illyrio Mopatis House

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A throwback to early episodes, this villa stood in as the home of Illyrio Mopatis.

The Red Keep Dungeon

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The dungeons at this fortress in the Birgu harbor, once the home of the Knights of Malta, played the part of those in the Red Keep.

Red Keep Gate

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Fort Ricasoli, named after the Florentine knight who financed its construction, snakes across a peninsula and guards the harbor of Kalkara.

Sowbelly Row

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One of many locations in Malta used to film scenes set in King's Landing, Fort Saint Elmo is known for withstanding a massive siege from Turkish invaders in the 16th century.

Great Sept of Baelor

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Known as a "star fort," Fort Manoel was built with outstretched arms that housed artillery such as cannons.

The Red Keep

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Built within a series of formal gardens, San Anton Palace is the residence of the President of Malta. Some of the trees within the gardens are more than 300 years old.

Landscapes of the West

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One of Croatia's largest national parks, this protected wilderness is named after the Krka River.

Braavos

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Contrary to its portrayal of Braavos on GoT, there aren't any mysterious assassins lurking around the historic village of Sibenik on the Dalmatian coast.

King's Landing Gardens and House of the Undying

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The highest point of Dubrovnik's defensive wall, this tower topped with a Gothic crown has done double duty as a site for multiple scenes in the series.

Meereen

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Klis Fortress, a stand-in for Meereen, is located at an important crossroads in Dalmatia and has been the site of numerous battles throughout the centuries.

North of the Wall

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This large lake was created via volcanic eruptions 2,300 years ago, and is near a handful of still-active volcanoes.

WIldling Camp

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These unique structures, natural rock formations that look like ancient castles, were created by lava flows and are a huge tourist attraction in Iceland.

Frostfangs Mountain

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This steep landscape in the north of Iceland recreated the harsh landscape north of the wall.

Jon and Ygritte's Love Nest

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It's not exactly the grotto at the Playboy Mansion, but these thermal springs, once the home of a famous outlaw, were the filmmakers choice for a place that Jon Snow won't soon forget.

North of the Wall

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The largest ice cap in Iceland, this massive frozen mass covers eight percent of the country.

North of the Wall

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The expansive Icelandic National Park, carved by glaciers, includes a massive waterfall framed by black basalt columns.

Water Gardens

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The real-life Palace of Dorne, Real Alcázar is a Moorish castle that has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site and still functions as a royal palace to this day.

Danzak's Pit

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This sandstone bull-fighting ring is over a century old.

Long Bridge of Volantis

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Initially built in the 1st century BC, this span over the Guadalquivir River features Moorish arches.

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Astapor

A coastal city that's been inhabited since prehistoric times due to its natural harbor, Essaouria is known as "the wall" in Arabic due to the natural fortress that encloses the original town center. Not only was it an ideal site for producers to replicate the Slaver's Bay city of Astapor, but it's also a longtime cultural center and was a hippie hangout in the '60s that attracted Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens.

Pentos

A trading crossroads in Morocco, Ouarzazate, nicknamed the door to the desert, didn't find its first moment in the spotlight via Game of Thrones. Home to Atlas Studios, the city's rugged terrain and casbahs have formed the backdrops for numerous films, from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator.

Yunkai and Pentos

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this fortified clay city was used as a set for many scenes featuring Daenerys Targaryen.

Winterfell

Bran Stark may get chills thinking of this location, a 14th-century castle built for Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany. Film fans may have seen this spot before: it played the role of Camelot in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Dothraki Sea

A series of nine valleys in Northern Ireland, the Glens are a major tourist attraction due to their natural beauty and made for a fitting backdrop for the nomadic Dothraki.

Castle Black and Hardhome

The rough terrain of this abandoned limestone quarry made an ideal setting for scenes set in the inhospitable north of Westeros, including the Wall and Hardhome. Maybe when things cool off, the Night's Watch could take a page form the books of the quarries current owners, who have plans to turn it into a cycling and scuba center.

Shooting of the Direwolf

This private home in Ballycarry, Northern Ireland, Redhall Estates, used for scenes early in the first season, can be rented out for weddings. On second thought, a Game of Thrones wedding is probably a pretty bad idea.

Tournament Scene

Located on the edge of Lough Neagh, this 14th-century castle was the site of the jousting scene where Gregor Clegane beheaded a horse.

Burning of the Seven

Based on the Temple of Vesta in Italy, this circular structure looking over the Atlantic was used as a stand-in for Dragonstone, where Melisandre burned the old gods. Perhaps a beach BBQ would be more fitting in real life.

Winterfell

One of many buildings that have played the role of Winterfell in the series, Castle Ward has its own interesting backstory. The two-faced design, split between classical and Gothic styles, was the results of a couple, Lord Bangor and Lady Ann Bligh, compromising on the look of their home.

Forests in the North

This renowned state park, celebrated for its natural beauty and numerous stone bridges and structures, has been named one of the best picnic sites in the region.

Lordsport

This tiny village on Northern Ireland's northern coast served as a port town in the Isle of Pyke, in the Iron Isles.

The Stormlands

This chalk quarry was the site of Renly's war camp.

Iron Island

These roughhewn, scenic cliffs were used for scenes replicating the Iron Isles.

The Stormlands and Road to King's Landing

Two sites at the northern tip of the Irish isle make for dramatic backdrops. The creepy woodlands of the Dark Hedges represent the pathway to King's Landing (foreshadowing), while the Cushendun Caves served as the site where Melisandre had her baby.

Daenerys and Drogo's Wedding

This limestone arch on the island of Gozo in Malta formed the backdrop for a pivotal (non-lethal) wedding. More than 300 feet talk, it's slowly eroding and may one day be the Azure Pinnacle.

King's Landing Gate

Known as "the Silent City," the ancient walled fortress-city of Mdina has been inhabited for millennia. Supposedly St. Paul the Apostle lived here in 60 AD after being shipwrecked off the coast.

Illyrio Mopatis House

A throwback to early episodes, this villa stood in as the home of Illyrio Mopatis.

The Red Keep Dungeon

The dungeons at this fortress in the Birgu harbor, once the home of the Knights of Malta, played the part of those in the Red Keep.

Red Keep Gate

Fort Ricasoli, named after the Florentine knight who financed its construction, snakes across a peninsula and guards the harbor of Kalkara.

Sowbelly Row

One of many locations in Malta used to film scenes set in King's Landing, Fort Saint Elmo is known for withstanding a massive siege from Turkish invaders in the 16th century.

Great Sept of Baelor

Known as a "star fort," Fort Manoel was built with outstretched arms that housed artillery such as cannons.

The Red Keep

Built within a series of formal gardens, San Anton Palace is the residence of the President of Malta. Some of the trees within the gardens are more than 300 years old.

Landscapes of the West

One of Croatia's largest national parks, this protected wilderness is named after the Krka River.

Braavos

Contrary to its portrayal of Braavos on GoT, there aren't any mysterious assassins lurking around the historic village of Sibenik on the Dalmatian coast.

King's Landing Gardens and House of the Undying

The highest point of Dubrovnik's defensive wall, this tower topped with a Gothic crown has done double duty as a site for multiple scenes in the series.

Meereen

Klis Fortress, a stand-in for Meereen, is located at an important crossroads in Dalmatia and has been the site of numerous battles throughout the centuries.

North of the Wall

This large lake was created via volcanic eruptions 2,300 years ago, and is near a handful of still-active volcanoes.

WIldling Camp

These unique structures, natural rock formations that look like ancient castles, were created by lava flows and are a huge tourist attraction in Iceland.

Frostfangs Mountain

This steep landscape in the north of Iceland recreated the harsh landscape north of the wall.

Jon and Ygritte's Love Nest

It's not exactly the grotto at the Playboy Mansion, but these thermal springs, once the home of a famous outlaw, were the filmmakers choice for a place that Jon Snow won't soon forget.

North of the Wall

The largest ice cap in Iceland, this massive frozen mass covers eight percent of the country.

North of the Wall

The expansive Icelandic National Park, carved by glaciers, includes a massive waterfall framed by black basalt columns.

Water Gardens

The real-life Palace of Dorne, Real Alcázar is a Moorish castle that has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site and still functions as a royal palace to this day.

Danzak's Pit

This sandstone bull-fighting ring is over a century old.

Long Bridge of Volantis

Initially built in the 1st century BC, this span over the Guadalquivir River features Moorish arches.