Morroco also plays a vital role in Daenerys journey as it provides a dramatic sun-kissed backdrop as she tries to raise her army in the atmospheric port of Essaouira. While the icy scenes of the “Wall” are set in Iceland, around the serene lake of Myvatn and the crater of Hverfell.
Just like the huge success of Lord of the Rings with its pictureque locations and magical backdrafts, Game of Thrones is taking its epic series to extreme lanscapes and breataking cities in the world.
The whole HBO production is based in Northern Ireland where the first two seasons of the series have been filmed. But places like Westeros, the Wall and Essos are filmed around Morocco, Malta, Iceland and Croatia where this epic fantasy came to life.
The historical coastal town of Essaouira in Morocco was chosen to continue the adventures of Daenerys Targaryen, this time in the warped city of Astapor. Also some scenes set in King’s Landing where filmed here. Image by Lukas Vermeer – atlasofwonders
Creators of the series are willing to spend more money on locations rather than with FX, the reason why they deploy three units to filmed the different plots of the story. From historical coastl towns of Morroco to the forest of bizzare rock lava pillars of Iceland, the team of experienced filmmakers captured its magic to bring the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros to life.
The budget of the series is compared to HBO’s TV series Rome and the GOT’s pilot was reportedly cost between US$5 and 10 million. The estimated budget for the whole first season is US$50-60 million and a 15% increase of the budget for the second season to stage the most important battle, the “Clash of the Kings”.
Now that the series is on its fourth season, the whoe crew of is back back in Croatia where film set is being built in Novigrad. A small fishing village in the northern region of Istria located in the Adriatic coast, this location features historic walls and medieval urban plan as the perfect backdrop of warring clans.
Ouarzazate, The city seems out of a tale from the 1,001 nights. That may explain why it has been used as exteriors for a long list of films since the sixties, from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator, including the cult movie Time Bandits. Image by Thomas van Ardenne. – atlasofwonders
Morroco also plays a vital role in Daenerys journey as it provides a dramatic sun-kissed backdrop as she tries to raise her army in the atmospheric port of Essaouira. While the icy scenes of the “Wall” are set in Iceland, around the serene lake of Myvatn and the crater of Hverfell.
Zoom off: Medina of Essaouira is an UNESCO World Heritage fortified seaport from the late 18th century. Its narrow streets are a mix of North African and European styles. Image by Alain Bachellier – atlasofwonders
These places are naturally beautiful that it captures the mystery of Westeros and ancient feel of Essos. Both known and unknown to the public, these locations are the next tourist spots of Game of Thrones aficionados.
Yunkai is inspired by the mud brick fortress of Aït Benhaddou.
Image by Alexander Cahlenstein – atlasofwonders
The look and the weather conditions at this side of the Atlas Mountains makes Aït Benhaddou a perfect filming location. Image by Pablo Pecora – atlasofwonders
International Business Times (August 30, 2013)
