Game of Thrones is a series based on the hit book series A Song of Ice and Fire by American writer George R.R. Martin. This literary saga has sold several million copies worldwide and has been translated into 20 languages.
Game of Thrones in Seville
The jump to television came with the American HBO channel. It is more than a simple series; it has the means and budget of a movie.
The series has been filmed in various locations, including Malta, Morocco, and Northern Ireland. The quality of the weapons, animals, costumes, and the creation of their own language, the Dothraki, makes it a unique production.
Few people do not follow this series. Phrases like “Winter is coming” and “Where are my dragons” have become part of our popular culture. Perhaps only the show Lost had such an overwhelming impact.
Game of Thrones in Seville
When you read the description of Dorne in the books, it transports you to the southern landscapes of Spain and northern Morocco. The mention of ripe fruit and oranges falling from trees evokes the aromas of Andalusia.
Therefore, the producers of the series ventured to southern Spain seeking locations to recreate the medieval lands of Dorne.
Several monuments were considered, like the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Cordoba. Ultimately, it was the Alcázar of Seville that was chosen.
Another filming location was the quarries of Osuna. Its walls recreated the Water Gardens—an oasis full of gardens and ponds that contrasts dramatically with the hot, arid landscape of the west. This location serves as the summer residence of the rulers of Dorne.
This fictional area is part of the settlement known as the Spear of the Sun, belonging to House Martell, which remains isolated in Dorne, avoiding the wars that result from the death of Robert Baratheon.
In the fourth season, we are introduced to Oberyn Martell, known as the Red Viper. He is the younger brother of Doran Martell, the Regent Prince of Dorne. Many fans are eager to explore these lands and understand their significance in the power struggles portrayed in the series.
The Alcázar serves as the Game of Thrones backdrop for Dorne, characterized by its abundant vegetation and flowing water sources—a true symbol of wealth amid a hot and arid terrain.
The Alcázar is the perfect location to depict this opulence, requiring minimal alterations to achieve the desired image. Filming took place in October 2014 over nine days. One notable spot used is the Mercury Pond, where a “painted” water fountain and pond were turned blue with an eco-friendly product that evaporated shortly after application.
Exterior scenes occupied the first three days of shooting before transitioning to the Mudéjar Palace, also within the Alcázar.
Dorne Kingdom is the Alcázar of Seville
You can join an original guided tour of Seville to explore the locations used in filming the fifth season of this legendary series. With insights from an expert on the show and its filming, this tour covers the gardens of the Alcázar, which represented the Water Gardens of Dorne—the headquarters of House Martell.
You will visit impressive rooms, many adorned with Mudéjar-style mosaics, serving as the interiors of the Water Gardens. Enjoy the fountains and walking paths that Doran Martell frequented, and learn why some ponds were painted light blue for the production.
If you’re still hungry for more, a visit to the nearby town of Osuna awaits. Here, the old bullring was utilized to film scenes from the Daznak Trench, where numerous bloody battles unfolded. Afterward, you can indulge in a tapas tasting at a local bar that inspired dishes based on the characters of the series.