Following in the footsteps of Games of Thrones in Dubrovnik

When it comes to promoting tourism, countries and cities have no better calling card than the cinema. Even if most of the time the scenarios are created from scratch, the natural and architectural settings used remain very real. Except for a few details.

Dubrovnik Game of Thrones

The plains of Northern Ireland, the castles of Spain, the volcanic reliefs of Iceland and the ksars of Morocco are just some of the magical places that have been used as backdrops for the Game of Thrones series over its 8 seasons. But all these destinations are no match for the grandiose Dubrovnik. The first choice in the hearts of Game of Thrones filming locations.

Since season 2, the Croatian city has taken on the role of King’s Landing. In other words, the capital of the Kingdom of the Seven Crowns. For fans of the series planning a holiday in the Dubrovnik region, we’ve found some of the places where the film cameras were set up. You’ll see that the line between fantasy and reality is just as fine as you might think! Here’s a little guide for fans of the global Iron Throne series.

1. Fort Lovrijenac

Let’s start with the most obvious. We call it Fort Lovrijenac! In images of beautiful Dubrovnik, it’s simple: it’s almost always in the foreground. And in reality, its well-preserved stone silhouette makes it an obvious, and therefore unmissable, stop in the city.

Situated to the west of Dubrovnik’s city walls, Fort Lovrijenac (or the St Lawrence Fortress) is an impressive 11th-century structure, perched 37 metres above the water, which proudly honours the Croatian city’s medieval defensive past. At its entrance, you can still read the Latin inscription Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro (Freedom is not sold for any kind of gold).

As the Red Keep at King’s Landing in the Games of Thrones series, Fort Lovrijenac has been used as a film location on several occasions.

Examples of cult scenes from “GOT” filmed on site:

• The battle between the Lannisters and Stannis Baratheon (season 2 – episode 9)

• King Joffrey’s naming ceremony and tournament (season 2 – episode 1)

2. The Pile Gate

To enter Dubrovnik, you’ll have no choice but to go through one of its fortified gates. In case you didn’t know, the Croatian city is surrounded by a series of ramparts that can be up to 25 metres high in places.

If you enter the heart of Dubrovnik from the east, you will pass through the Ploče gate and its Revelin fort. On the other hand, if you arrive from the west, you will enter the walls through the Pile Gate. Even better, since this is the main entrance to the town, built in 1537. The gate can be recognised by its sculpture of Saint Blaise (Dubrovnik’s patron saint) and its drawbridge, which used to be closed every evening to prevent enemy invasions.

Examples of cult scenes from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Joffrey’s popular revolt following Princess Myrcella’s departure for Dorne (season 2 – episode 6 game of thrones)

• Jamie Lannister’s return to King’s Landing (season 3 – episode 10 game of thrones )

3. Lokrum Island

Just a 10-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik, in the waves of the Dalmatian sea, floats one of Croatia’s most emblematic islands. You may even have visited it at least once. Its name is Lokrum Island!

With no inhabitants and no accommodation, Lokrum Island is a haven of peace measuring just 2km², where a variety of flora and fauna flourish. Pines, cypresses, exotic plants, oleanders, peacocks and rabbits are the proud representatives of the nature reserve it became in 1962. “Lokrum Island is full of surprises, from the ‘island of love’ for some to the island of curses for others…

Example of a cult scene from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Daenarys Targaryen’s visit during the reception of the merchants from the island of Qarth at the monastery of Lokrum (season 2 – episode 5 game of thrones )

4. The ramparts of Dubrovnik

If you had to pick just one undisputed symbol of Dubrovnik, it would undoubtedly be this one. The city walls! Visually and historically speaking, they surpass all other attractions.

They first appeared in the 13th century, when the city, formerly the Republic of Ragusa, had to protect itself from other Mediterranean powers with whom rivalries for power and prosperity were growing rapidly. To thwart enemy attacks, 2 kilometres of walls were built, along with a whole range of additional fortifications (bastions, fortresses, etc.).

The sheer scale and perfect state of these walls, unique in the world, attracted the attention of UNESCO in 1979, as well as the hit series Games of Thrones.

Examples of cult scenes from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Overview from the balcony of the King’s Hand chamber (season 2 – episode 1)

• Tyrion, Bronn and Podrick stroll along the ramparts as workers repair the battle damage at Blackwater (season 3 – episode 1 game of thrones)

• King Tommen Baratheon and Cersei discuss his return to Casterly Rock (season 5 – episode 3 game of thrones )

5. The Jesuit staircase in front of St Ignatius Church

Adjacent to the market square, the church of Saint Ignatius is a must-see when exploring Dubrovnik. Externally, it bears the hallmarks of the Baroque style designed by Italian architect Andrea Pozzo. On the inside, it features light trompe-l’œil frescoes by Sicilian artist Gaetano.

Give or take a few details, she’s the star of the show. That is, until not so long ago… Because to its right stands the latest stop on the list of coveted attractions: the Jesuit staircase. Built in 1738, this structure does not go unnoticed by tourists. Certainly for its monumental size, but above all for its undeniable appearance in the Games of Thrones series. A guaranteed hit!

Example of a cult scene from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Cersei’s infamous “Walk of Shame” from the Great Septuary of Baelor to the Red Keep (season 5 – episode 10 game of thrones )

6. Minčeta Tower

On the way to Dubrovnik’s ramparts, already a treasure in themselves, stand 4 massive historic towers that are much sought-after by visitors. But only one can boast of being the tallest and most characteristic of the city of Saint-Blaise. That tower, as you may have guessed, is our Minčeta Tower.

When it was completed in the 14th century by the architect Michelozzo Michelozzi, its function was clear, sharp and precise: to prevent Turkish attacks from the north of the city. Its name, Minčeta, is thought to be a tribute to the family who funded its construction. Namely, the Menčetić family. Offering a breathtaking view of the old town and the majestic Adriatic, the Minčeta Tower never fails to get everyone in agreement.

An example of a cult scene from “GOT” filmed on location:

• Tower of the Undying in Qarth, which Daenerys Targaryen enters before being seized by visions (season 2 – episode 10 game of thrones )

7. Bokar Fortress

Let’s leave the northern ramparts for their most south-westerly part. This is where you’ll find the Bokar Fortress, one of Dubrovnik’s other defensive (and prison) constructions.

As with the Minčeta Tower, the architect Michelozzo Michelozzi is responsible for this impressive fortification, perched on a cliff above the sea. It dates back to the 15th century and has retained virtually the same appearance as when it was built. The same goes for its cannon battery. As a result, everything is original except for the roof.

While the site is used every year for the theatrical performances at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, it was also used as a natural backdrop for the cult TV series Games of Thrones.

Examples of cult scenes from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Background during the discussion between Tyrion and Lord Varys about the defence strategy for King’s Landing (season 2 – episode 8 game of thrones)

• Same background when Cersei tells Jaime about her new alliance with Euron Grayjoy (season 7 – episode 1 game of thrones)

• When Daenerys mounts Drogon to burn the city, even though the bells are ringing in surrender (season 8 – episode 5 game of thrones)

8. The Rectors’ Palace

Here’s another site you absolutely can’t do without during your stay in Dubrovnik. Both as hardened visitors and as die-hard fans of Games of Thrones.

In the past, the Rector’s Palace, as its name suggests, was used to house the rectors (heads of government of the Republic of Ragusa) during their month in office. Everything was housed here, from offices to public rooms and private flats. In this way, the rectors were only authorised to leave the building in the event of official activities approved by the Senate.

Today, this splendid 15th-century Gothic and Renaissance monument is home to the Dubrovnik History Museum.

Example of a cult scene from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Set when Daenerys meets the Spice King of Qarth to ask him for a ship to Westeros (season 2 – episode 6 game of thrones )

9. The Sorkočević residence

It’s not just on the ramparts of Dubrovnik that the producers of Games of Thrones have spent time unearthing their top-quality sets. Right in the heart of the Lapad district, just a 10-minute drive from the Pile Gate, the Sorkočević summer residence has also managed to attract the interest of American film production right to it.

On the edge of the port of Gruž, the address corresponds to a spacious plot where elegant country manor and Mediterranean vegetation share the square metres. A bucolic image made possible by Petar Sorkočević, a wealthy and powerful local aristocrat, who had this villa built in 1521. A true architectural emblem of the High Renaissance, the residence is now listed in the register of Croatian cultural monuments.

Examples of cult scenes from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Daenerys’ residence at Qarth (season 2 Game of Thrones)

10. Gradac Park

On the way to or from the Sorkočević residence, to the ramparts of Dubrovnik, we’ll slip you in a little intermediate stop that’s far from unpleasant.

When the city centre fills up or the temperature rises, Gradac Park is the kind of peaceful retreat that comes at just the right time. In these 17,000m² of natural space, laid out in the 19th century as if levitating from the side of a cliff, all the little pleasures of relaxation, reading or simply contemplation come together. And that kind of combo is priceless!

Example of a cult scene from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Place of the purple wedding between King Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell to seal an alliance between the two families (season 4 – episode 2 game of thrones )

11. The rupe ethnographic museum

Museum, yes. Ethnographic, yes. But where does ‘rupe’ come from? The answer lies in the origins of the museum. Before it brought together ancient objects from the daily lives of the Ragusans (tools, costumes, etc.), in the 16th century it was a barn, or rupe in Croatian. All the cereal supplies from southern Italy, Greece, Albania and other neighbouring countries were stored here in huge silos. 1500 tonnes of goods could feed the city for a whole year.

Dubrovnik’s ‘rural’ past continues to be highlighted on the first floor of the museum, with very interesting explanations of ancient olive oil production techniques, the wine storage areas and the means of transporting grapes from the vineyards to the production areas.

Examples of cult scenes from “GOT” filmed on site:

• Background of the walk taken by Oberyn Martell and Tyrion on the outskirts of Little Finger’s brothel (season 4 – episode 1 game of thrones )

12. Trsteno Arboretum

It’s true, we’re no longer in Dubrovnik with this very last stop on our 100% Games of Thrones escapade. But 25 minutes by car is more than enough!

It’s in the discreet Croatian village of Trsteno that you’ll come across the one and only arboretum on the eastern Adriatic coast. And incidentally, one of the oldest in the world. Its creation dates back to the end of the 15th century, when Ivan Marinov Gučetić-Gozze brought it out of the ground as his summer residence.

Working closely with several local sailors, the Gučetić family acquired a variety of exotic species (bamboo, olive trees, plane trees, etc.), some of which were still unknown at the time, to cover a final area of 28 hectares in style. The Croatian muse Cvijeta Zuzorić, the Italian painter Titian and the poet Lord Byron are said to have frequented the grounds. Long before our illustrious Games of Thrones stars!

Examples of cult scenes from “GOT” filmed on site:

• During the meeting between Sansa and her grandmother, Olenna Tyrell, who discuss the rumours of cruelty surrounding her future husband Joffrey (season 2 – episode 3 game of thrones)

• When Oberyn makes a promise to Cercei that he will have a gift delivered to his daughter Myrcella, who has been sent to Dorne (season 4 – episode 5 game of thrones)

Conclusion

By now, everywhere you look in the Dalmatian city will reveal recognisable corners of King’s Landing! Even the smallest ones, such as those on Rue Papaliceva or on the West Pier. And if you’d still like to know a little more about the real Dubrovnik, we invite you to discover our itinerary, linked just below.