Game of Thrones: Filmed in Spain
By “coincidence,” I keep ending up in cities which were used during the filming of one of my favorite shows, “Game of Thrones.”
I love checking out the sites in person, compared to what they look like after the CGI transformation on TV!
Girona is an ancient city in Catalonia, Spain, about 60 miles northeast of Barcelona. It’s an easy drive, and an even easier train ride, which takes about 45 minutes.
Once you get beyond the more modern parts of the city, you’ll quickly enter the “old town” or “Gothic Quarter,” which dates back more than 2,000 years.
Most of the historical sites used in filming are within a few blocks of each other.
Great Sept of Baelor
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona served as the backdrop for several scenes in Game of Thrones’ sixth season.
Most notably, it was the Great Sept of Baelor, where Jamie Lannister dramatically swept in with an army to prevent Margaery Tyrell from taking her walk of atonement.
The Cathedral stands where a mosque was originally built by the Moors. One of the towers still standing dates back to the 1100s. Much of the rest of the work was completed in the 1600s and 1700s.
I’m still not sure how he rode that horse up the steps in this scene:
Braavos Walkways
Girona turns into the streets of the mythical city of Braavos during Season Six, which is a really rough season for Arya Stark.
She’s blinded and tormented by odd characters, including the “man of many faces,” and an angry woman known as the “Waif.”
I’m not a fan of either character, but this site was really cool to see in person!
In Episode 1, Arya is begging on a set of stone steps, which you can find on Bisbe Jose Cartana Street, right behind the main cathedral.
It’s here where the Waif confronts Arya, throws her a stick, and forces her to fight (blindly).
Braavos Bridge
Arya’s view from this bridge is far more dramatic than reality in Episode 7.
CGI creates a canal, more of a city, and a huge statue off in the distance. Arya stands here, after buying a ticket on a ship to go home, staring off, until she’s confronted by the Waif in disguise.
The bridge is next to an old monastery, which is now a museum, called Sant Pere de Galligants. It’s easy to search for on Google Maps. I believe the monastery’s interior was used for scenes in which Samwell Tarley goes to study in the “Citadel Grand Library.”
During a fight on the stone bridge, Arya is stabbed, and falls into the “water” below. Water only runs through the wash after a storm.
Public Theater
Directly connected to the bridge, which was used in several scenes, is the “theater,” which was used to stage a play about the poisoning of King Joffrey. The performance is featured in several episodes.
The structure itself is a public bathroom these days. It’s also a music school, called La Moderna, which can be found easily on Google Maps.
The Baths: Men Only (and Arya)
Arya ducks into ancient baths, while being chased by the Waif.
The beauty of the true Arab Baths of Girona isn’t captured on television. Viewers catch only a shadowy glimpse of Arya as she runs through the ancient baths, which date back to around 1200 AD.
It’s an interesting complex to walk through, and is now a protected national historic site.
Braavos Market
During one of many chase scenes, Arya takes a leap, and lands in a market, set on the steps of Pujada de Sant Domenec.
It’s easy to find, thanks to the bright aqua-blue door at the top of the steps.
Those are a few of the more famous “Game of Thrones” filming sites in Girona, but the city is so pretty, it’s worth a visit even if you have no interest in following the footsteps of Arya and the Waif!