We already know that Croatia was one of several countries visited by the production team while location scouting for season two of Game of Thrones. Now we are hearing rumors that they may have settled on it as one of the new locations for season two filming. Our source says it is nearly a done deal, with only a few minor details to be worked out. The source also said the coastal city of Dubrovnik will be where the bulk of the filming will take place.
When asked about the possibility of filming in Croatia during yesterday’s book signing in Slovenia, George R. R. Martin, while not confirming anything, did say he “loves” Dubrovnik and that Split “has great potential.” It is important to note that the questioner did not specifically mention either of those cities, so the fact that Martin immediately spoke of Dubrovnik seems to lend credence to the rumor we are hearing. Split is also a coastal city, so I think it is clear they are considering Croatia for its coastline.
Winter Is Coming: That sea wall screams Storm’s End to me. Although the city itself looks more like Qarth. We should get an official announcement soon, considering filming starts one month from tomorrow.
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89 Comments
Let’s hope they start filming the Storm’s End scenes soon… so that we’ll soon know who is playing Stannis and Mel!
Nigel BradleyQuote Reply
That doesn’t looks like Storm’s End to me… It’s too calm. Maybe with some CGI effects but I guess they already have too much to handle
DekarQuote Reply
Nigel Bradley,
I do not think they are going to shoot (if the rumour is true) there during the high-season (from june – to mid september), because there are too many tourists out there.
The RabbitQuote Reply
Regardless of where they film, I LOVE the fact that this show is utilizing such beautiful European scenery. Too many shows are filmed only on sets, but this show has had some truly stunning outdoor cinematography. LOVE IT!
LexQuote Reply
Lex,
It is absolutley gorgeous there!
HandmaidenofDanyQuote Reply
How about the CGI required for davos/mel under the tower? Not to mention the complexities of Renly’s death if they don’t want to hide it in shadow behind a silk tent.
Those were some of my favorite early parts of aCoK and it would seem silly to treat them as explanations instead of just thrusting them right into the viewers’ PoV.
As important as the BotB is, I certainly don’t want them to just “suggest” all the other cool events in order to throw their entire budget into the last 2 episodes.
Also worried since some of the sea travel becomes more important to the story and filming on ships and in row boats can be a pain. Taking the sea out of the equation is fine for getting Cat/Rodrik to KL in season one, but to make Davos/Stannis/Dany/Jamie/Brienne do all their travel by land takes away from lots of their character development.
And then it would get even worse with all the ships in season 3 if they try to dodge the sea travel in season 2.
robQuote Reply
The reason George mentioned those two cities yesterday is probably because he visited them few years ago when he was in Croatia. So I would not get my hopes high yet, although it would be great to have a shooting location so close to home :D
Boštjan GorencQuote Reply
Off-Topic:
Lol, ok, maybe this is a little stupid, but I had to laugh anyway.^^
Btw, what’s up withe smily-icons? Why they don’t work anymore?
AbyssQuote Reply
I was the one that asked him about potential shooting in Croatia.
One more thing that could point towards Dubrovnik is that when he had a signing tour in Croatia 8 years ago he visited Zagreb and Split but didn’t go to Dubrovnik – it is obvious he heard about it from somewhere else.
Dubrovnik is really photogenic and I could envision sea side of Storm’s End looking like Lovrijenac fortress. Or maybe scenes from Qarth being filmed in claustar of the Franciscan monastery
However, Dubrovnik is busting with tourists during summer and there is a big summer culture festival also taking place so I don’t think there is a realistic possibility of filming which wouldn’t be a logistical nightmare for the production team before high season is over. This is how an entrance to the old part of the city looked after 4 cruisers arrived at the same time.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
I’d say Blackwater Bay and the Wall of King’s Landing, not Storm’s End :)
StefanQuote Reply
I’m not 100% sure but I think he was only in Zagreb and Split back then. He had signings only in that 2 cities but I don’t know did he have time to visit any other location in Croatia then.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
I want to go to there.
ChowwanderQuote Reply
Ivan Popić,
George was also in Dubrovnik and in Pula. He didn’t do signings there, but the hosts took him to those two cities for sightseeing.
Boštjan GorencQuote Reply
it could stand in for Pyke, too, if they do it right.
LossothQuote Reply
Damn, there goes my theory… All I have left now is wishful thinking.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Less filming in Northern Ireland makes for a sad Qthulhu : (
QthulhuQuote Reply
Wow – this post may actually hold the record for the most hand-wringing, angst-ridden, worry-wort whining ever… What else do you worry about?
EdQuote Reply
I know, right? they’d better find a place w/ huge storms raging 24/7 if they’re gonna get it right
BranQuote Reply
I literally just flew from there today after 2 weeks in croatia. Can only saw good things about it.
Also, walking the walls of Dubrovnik a few days ago, I told my fellow ASOIAF fans that I thought it would make a great Storm’s End. Dunno what they wanna use Split for tho, maybe Quarth? There is another city in Bosnia I thought might have passed for the Twins (its called Mostar, great double bridge there).
The coast is extremely beautiful, and all the little towns around it was so nice, worth a look on wiki if u have a chance check: Zadar, Primosten, Omis, Hvar, Brac, Korcula/Orebic, also the national parks Krka, and Plitvička Jezera. All fit into Westeros somehow in my mind.
Also, just spend some time in Montenegro, wasnt at all like Casino Royale but beautiful nonetheless. Also could fit…
William Aaron GrandyQuote Reply
Forgot, check out Ston and the European Walls of China.
William Aaron GrandyQuote Reply
The guys over at serijala.com promised to find a way to confirme or deny the info on possible filming in Croatia.
(It is in croatian, I know but I translated the most important part – the rest of the article just translate this one, with the link to the..”excellent site on GOT”.
The RabbitQuote Reply
i’m assuming they’d want to use the city and maybe the castle walls rather than go for wide exterior shots since most of the castles in S1 were cgi, Dragonstone and Storms End could both be done the same way they did The Eyrie and The Twins. Even the Pyke could work, unless they want to show people on the bridges.
Mirri MazQuote Reply
That’s hilarious!
LexQuote Reply
This person is voicing legitimate concerns in an appropriate and straitforward way. There is no criticizing/attacking/they are going to ruin it in the post. Please don’t attack people for having an opinion. This is what often keeps me lurking instead of posting my views on how things could/should be done in future seasons.
SJGIMQuote Reply
I hope it’s Qarth personally. The walls and city within look similar to how I imagined them. Storms end I imagined much rougher and run down looking for some reason.
SJGIMQuote Reply
off topic first – Casino Royale was filmed in Czech Republic and has no connection to actual topography of Montenegro.
on topic – there are some really great locations to choose from, I just hope our authorities are smart enough to give good conditions to production team.
Winetu was filmed in Croatia some 40 years ago and there haven’t been a big production at work until last year when two Doctor Who episodes were filmed in Trogir.
Potential is there, I just hope something will come out of this.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
I was working on a movie being shot in Dubrovnik some 9 years ago and its not so hard to keep tourists at bay. If they decide to use Dubrovnik or any other city in Croatia (or Bosnia which is quite close and easy to use) that would be great. Not just for us locals but for the series itself whatever the scenes. Hard to find places like that that are already built.
If the rumors turn out to be true, off I am to be an extra then. :)
Mladen VukovicQuote Reply
Please let this be true pleaseeeeeeeee :)
Also, it’s not that much of a problem with tourists, and most of the summer festival takes place in the evening.
I know I’m applying for an extra for sure
DeagusserQuote Reply
I suppose it’s Qarth. They wouldn’t be saying that “the bulk” of the filming would be done in Dubrovnik if they were only filming a couple of exteriors shots (which would be the case with Storm’s End or Dragonstone).
I have to confess I’m a little afraid with this decision. Dubrovnik is very well known, and at least I fear that I won’t be able to imagine Qarth if I’m seeing Dubrovnik.
KateQuote Reply
Tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, ovo će biti jbnooo!! :) I am so gonna go there while they are shooting, I don’t mind the cost. I am gonna wear my best rags and pretend to be a peasant or something :)
Andrija Andrew PQuote Reply
I agree with Stefan …. I see Blackwater Bay and the Wall of King’s Landing when I look at the picture
Marilyn BonesQuote Reply
A little OT, but Chapters/Coles/Indigo (my FAVOURITE bookstore line) is having a promotion right now for A Song of Ice and Fire. If you buy three of the currently released books, you get the fourth one for free. Looks like the show made an impact, if they’re doing something as huge as that. Also, I’ve preordered Dance with Dragons from Chapters :)
Katrina BrooksQuote Reply
Great picture. I can envision the walls of the red keep and the entrance to the blackwater bay.
Cold HandsQuote Reply
You know what if its quarth I’ll be a little disappointed. I reckon they could’ve completely cut quarth and gone straight to slavers bay. Really what would we loose? Apart from prophecy/flashbacks why would we go there? Nothing important happens.
By moving the slavers bay story up that would take a lot of pressure off season 3 and you could flesh out those awesome sections of the story.
Down with Quarth!!
DavosFTW!Quote Reply
a great reason to finally visit Dubrovnik
would prefer if it was in Split simply because it’s closer and cheaper for me tho
FishQuote Reply
Cut quarth!
Also how cool would it be to end dany season 2 with dracarys
DavosFTW!Quote Reply
I agree, for me is Pyke!
daenerysdragonsQuote Reply
Yay, I’m going to Dubrovnik next week!!!! I’ll be so excited to see it on GoT!!
ElaineQuote Reply
I’m thinking Pyke. Because they don’t need to use the whole city, just the parts they need. For instance, as this picture shows http://si.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Portfolio/night-city-wall-and-lovrijenac/323231624_c38zZ-M.jpg, it’s basically what is described in the book, a part of the fortress is on the mainland with outlying towers and keeps on small islands. They could add some CGI bridges and one or two CGI towers, and there you have it.
KuglaQuote Reply
Hey cool I went to Croatia it’s an awesome place to film
Omar BibarsQuote Reply
Ivan Popić,
Maybe not just wishful thinking… it’s true Martin was in both Split and Dubrovnik a couple of years ago (he told me at the book signing) but, he also told me that he “might be back in Croatia sooner than you’d think”. So I guess that’s something :)
RhaelleQuote Reply
Rhaelle,
I think they are trying to bring him as guest of honor at Eurocon, maybe he was referring to that. What I certainly know is that when I asked him he had “even if I knew I couldn’t tell you” look on his face.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Ivan Popić,
Rhaelle,
Last automn in Dublin I asked GRRM would he visit Croatia for the Eurocon in 2012, his answer was NO.
But he did say he would visit Croatia for the occasion in relation with some library (probably Algoritam).
The RabbitQuote Reply
The Rabbit,
My immediate question was “Season 2?” and he said everything was still open. I know it’s not much, but it makes me hopeful :)
RhaelleQuote Reply
Rhaelle,
The Rabbit,
Now I’m even more sorry we failed to slip him truth serum while we had a chance ;) Damn his enygmatic answers!
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Rhaelle,
Well, that is an interesting answer!
The RabbitQuote Reply
Dubrovnik is so overrated, and Zadar is so underrated.
PetitQuote Reply
Petit,
never been to Dubrovnik, but I spent a few days last year in Zadar, and it’s beautiful. Do you have any scenes in mind for Zadar?
Edit: and surely those beautiful islands around Pag can be used for something.
KnurkQuote Reply
Ivan Popić,
Not a good movie, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479997/, but it was partially filmed in Istria,.
MatijaQuote Reply
Petit,
But the Elafitis are much nicer than the Zadar archipelago ^_^
Anyway, I disagree: Dubrovnik is one-of-a-kind, but the old part of Zadar just looks like practically any Dalmatian city.
ElaineQuote Reply
I can’t imagine Dubrovnik would be a good idea. It would be like filming a fantasy series in Manhattan, or at Mt Rushmore. I don’t mean anachronistic – but just that not only would you have to contend with hoards of people, but these places are so iconic that it would be hard to see them as simply parts of a fantasy world.
If you could tell it was Dubrovnik, it would… be Dubrovnik. But if you couldn’t tell it was Dubrovnik… well, there are dozens of villages, towns and cities where you could shoot that would give you the same general impression without the crowds.
WastrelQuote Reply
If they are filming in that area of Croatia – wouldn’t suprise me if they also used Trogir, it’s been used for quite a few TV shows in the last couple of years (including doubling as Venice for Dr Who). It’s a bit quieter than Dubrovnik, and equally as stunning. Not sure what they’d do with all the expensive yachts in the meantime though :)
Martin EQuote Reply
D&D should realy check-out Belgium as a possible filming location.
I mean Croatia’s very nice but we have a lot going for us here too.
We have castles, horses, wolfs, also dragons and we have our very own Highgarden…
and a lot of beer.
durandalQuote Reply
And you are expensive :) That is the main reason they are considering Croatia and why they chose places like Malta and Ireland for the first season :)
Andrija Andrew PQuote Reply
Haha that was truly EPIC XD (and a little silly, but still epic!)
LiesieQuote Reply
durandal,
lol. This made my day. I am now imagining those mugs coming on-screen in place of their counterparts every scene their in. The production team could save so much money. Now more CGI dragons or difficult dogs to train. :)
SJGIMQuote Reply
Elaine,
NO they aren`t nicer, you even didn`t see them if you think that, and no Zadar isn`t just some dalmatian city, Zadar is the most beautiful on Adriatic. Dubrocnik only has walls, so what? Zadar`s walls were destroyed in crusades…
PetitQuote Reply
Between people thinking that random crowds of people/tourists would somehow make it so they couldn’t shoot there and this comment here, I was just LOLing so hard. Please keep up the comedy. It’s great!
GinnyQuote Reply
I agree with WiC: that tower at the front looks just like how I imagined that central keep of Storms End – and hey, I just noticed that little cove right underneath it!
Not saying they can’t use other parts of the walls for BWB/Pyke or the inner city itself for Qarth – but that tower IS Storm’s End!
YeekimQuote Reply
The problem with Zadar is that so little of its medieval core is intact due to Allied bombings in WW2. What has remained is great but usually right next to it is some socrealistic monstrosity that they can’t use for filming. Zadar’s walls were destroyed in crusade? I’m pretty sure I saw them when I was in Zadar last time. They were demolished and rebuilt several times since 1202.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Damn, lots of croats up in this one :D Look forward to Storms End, though I never really gel’d with that location and scenes. Actually ACoK is third in my preferences for the current 4 books.
I hope they emphasize plotlines in season 2 in this order:
1) Arya’s Journey North
2) Jon Beyond the Wall
3) Tyrion as Hand
4) Renly’s LBGT parade
5) Stannis being Anal
6) Dany’s Qartheen Adventures
7) Other random assholery
Should be an awesome season though, D&D know that they are doing :)
Damryn of DorneQuote Reply
I can’t comment on VFX and Production Design considerations (the water), but I worked Locations for years, and local business impact/crowds IS a consideration when determining and negotiating access to a site. Depending upon the production’s desired level of control (which is usually total) and the locality’s permitting restrictions, those crowds can dictate when you film.
Just my 2 cents.
The Red KingQuote Reply
Ivan Popić,
Dubrovnik is a famous locale in Croatia, particularly for the ancient sea fortress. In this light, George saying he loves a place with an old castle is probably not too significant.
That being said, I think Dubrovnik would be great for ocean/Blackwater shots of KL or for exterior shots of Pyke.
2whom?Quote Reply
Zadar was nice, but not nearly so nice as the other cities on the coast. I think my favs were Split, Dub, Trogir, Korcula, and Primosten, in that order :)
William Aaron GrandyQuote Reply
Anyways beauty is always in the eye of the beholder so…
William Aaron GrandyQuote Reply
2whom?, I know, I’m from Croatia ;)
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
It might be that at this point I’d love to get location confirmations almost as much as I’d like fresh casting news :)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Hear Me Roar,
Me too!
Couldn’t people in Malta and Northern Ireland say the same thing about their own recognizable locations? I see what you’re saying, and I agree, but before I married a Croatian I wouldn’t have recognized Dubrovnik or that sea fortress with the name I can’t spell ^_^
If they do film in Dubrovnik, it’ll spoil the immersion for those of us who have been there, but I suspect that the location will only be recognizable to a small percentage of the population.
ElaineQuote Reply
Hear Me Roar,
I could just imagine what a confirmation would do, thousands and thousands of Croatians would start coming here, more and more of us would be present, English would become a second language and the page would be renamed “Zima dolazi” and Martin would hear about that and new characters named Ser Lovro and Lady Marijana would get introduced in the following books, ah what a glorious future ‘t would be :)
Andrija Andrew PQuote Reply
Well, local papers as Dubrovacki List and The Dubrovnik Times a full of the articles about Game Of Thrones filming in Dubrovnik, but they use this blog as a source.
At least we will have a deny or confirmation of the rumour soon ;)
The RabbitQuote Reply
The Rabbit,
Well, I should be blamed for that. I sent to all local media an info on what might be going on. Hopefully, if alert, they might hear something or smell something which could be a sort of a conformation.
Glad that the picked the story up.
ZedQuote Reply
I hated the way HBO did King’s Landing. The place was supposed to be made of THATCHED ROOF. King’s Landing looks like Oldtown. It’s kind of made clear in the books that the place is a dump.
Qarth is what I think
Andy Tabelz TabelingQuote Reply
Zed,
LOL, well done :)
Andrija Andrew P,
Croatian takeover :)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Wow, one paper really took it as a done deal, even saying that the town itself will be Qarth. We can’t take responsibility if they misread us :) but … that’s how rumours go.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Hear Me Roar,
that’s some bad journalism, my oh my.
KnurkQuote Reply
Knurk,
Well mayhaps they know something we don’t :) I was not aware that reps from HBO met the mayor of Dubrovnik…
Andrija Andrew PQuote Reply
Andrija Andrew P,
oh, I can’t read the articles so I just assumed by the comments here the papers based their story solely on this website. So one article is saying the mayor met TPTB? That makes it a bit more believable of course!
KnurkQuote Reply
Andrija Andrew P,
Three Dubrovnik sites have reported WiC’s rumor by now, but non of them mentioned anything about City officials meeting HBO representatives. No mayor of Dubrovnik, no nothing.
Hopefully, if anything is going on, they will be in position to be first to find about it. Mentioned Dubronik sites:
The Dubrovnik Times
Dubrovacki list
dubrovniknet.hr
Think happy thoughts… think happy thoughts… think happy thoughts…
ZedQuote Reply
Zed,
Replying to myself… This one is new…
Some more browsing showed that at least 5 more sites reported the same news. Good, media is buzzing…
ZedQuote Reply
My opinion is this.
If it will be filmed in any location on Croatian coast, mainly Dubrovnik. It will be Lovrijenac or Srđ. If you weren’t in Dubrovnik google up the pics. You can’t see them on the pic with the article above.
But sense I’m from Croatia, I would love to see the fort of Klis in the show. It’s really impressive on a top of a hill with a Y shaped canyon under it. It really is something.
Larger towns such as Zadar or Split, I don’t know. I doubt it. There are many other “smaller towns” that have historical value and preserved forts. Not only on the coast, but on the coast are manly the ones from medieval time.
And for the end let me say, about time that some thing is being considered to be filmed here.
Vedran GrudenicQuote Reply
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(in English: YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
:-)
Good to hear the production might come to Dubrovnik (and maybe other parts of Croatia). I definitely support the idea about the fort of Klis, and many other smaller towns and villages that that just scream Medieval Fantasy here in Croatia.
Regards,
JF
JollyFatherQuote Reply
Googling all the pics for Dubrovnik, I would say it would probably stand in for Dragonstone. The massive mountain behind the walled city (perfect to CGI a volcano on the peak), Dragonstone is a Port, and the castle itself could be CGI enhanced nearby.
Pike is a serious of keeps on Sea Stacks and cliffs, whilst Storm End, is seen so little of, it could be CGI’d like the Twins or Eyrie.
Dragonstone on the other hand, has pretty good coverage in books 2 and 3, and Davos travels around the Port itself, not just the Keep. It could also stand in for Qarth, but I looked on Qarth as being closer in style to ancient India or Persia.
tysnowQuote Reply
Jaqen H’ghar…..enough said
RobQuote Reply
I think Dubrovnik is a great location for filming GoT, it is a real medieval city and it has a lot of fortresses which could be used. Like Minčeta, Revelin, Lovrijenac , Rector’s Pallace, which looks amazing both on outside and inside, Trg Oružja (Arms square) with old canons and amazing view and, of course, old city walls.
Jane FloydQuote Reply
Jane Floyd,
Dubrovnik is a real renaissance town, for the most part as we know it today built during late XIV and to XVI century, and again in XVII and XVIII after the quake and the fire, so not exactly a real medieval city core. It’ll be a lot of CGI if they film anything on Stradun (main street in old city core). If they film at all there.
As an pen&papper RPG fan, can’t wait do. Wherever they film it.
Vedran GrudenicQuote Reply
Dubrovnik is fantastic choice for location but its a very popular tourist destination, great choice also if not even better is šibenik, fortified city also in croatia its not so crowded with tourist and it has a an old towm that looks like it came directly from the middle ages it would be perfect for game of thrones.
Stephen drzislavQuote Reply
My god, that’s a beautiful seaside city! I love that sea wall! Has the sea ever been high enough to breach it??
purplejillyQuote Reply
Dubrovnik is fantastic choice for location but its a very popular tourist destination, great choice also if not even better is šibenik, fortified city also in croatia its not so crowded with tourist and it has a an old town that looks like it came directly from the middle ages it would be perfect for game of thrones.
StephenQuote Reply
we were in dubrovnik this week and they were auditioning for the extras for the second season! they will start shooting in winter and they will be using the old city walls which makes it a perfect location for the series.
nazli turduQuote Reply
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