Dreamcasting the world of The Wheel of Time
By John Fallon
San Gimignano, Italy…as Cairhien
Cairhien is another important country. The people here are manipulative, experts in the playing at Daes Dae’mar, the political Game of Houses. The Carihienin’s love of order and control is best illustrated by the perfect grid of their capital’s streets, which ignores hills and, where possible, waterways.
Unfortunately, again we must venture outside Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Croatia to find a perfect place to stand in for Cairhien, especially if we want to find the Topless Towers. As part of the traditional Carihienin attempt to be the best at everything, several lords commissioned the construction of the tallest towers in the land. There is one place that might do these towers justice: San Gimignano in Italy.
Within this city’s walls we can find well-preserved buildings both Romanesque and Gothic, with secular buildings as well as churches. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, and has preserved about a dozen of its tower houses.
The historical capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, might also be a good choice. It has some eye-catching historic buildings, including a castle, town hall and cathedral.