The Royal Alcázar, the Atarazanas, the amphitheatre of Itálica in Santiponce, and the Osuna Bullring are some of the locations the series used to recreate Dorne, King's Landing, and Meereen. A tourist route explores these sites.
The province of Seville became a film set during the filming of the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons of Game of Thrones. The HBO series chose several locations in the capital and in municipalities like Santiponce and Osuna to bring key scenes of Westeros to life. Now, a tourist route allows visitors to explore these places and relive iconic moments from the show.
The Royal Alcázar of Seville was the main setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne, the residence of House Martell. The Mudejar palace, one of the oldest in the world still in use, was used to film scenes such as Myrcella Lannister's walk through the Garden of the Dance, Ellaria Sand's conspiracy in the Baths of Doña María Padilla, and Jaime Lannister's meeting with the Martells in the Hall of Ambassadors. Fights were also filmed in the Lion's Pavilion and next to the Pavilion of Charles V.
The Royal Atarazanas, located in the Arenal district, were transformed into the dungeons of the Red Keep in King's Landing. There, according to the plot, Qyburn showed Cersei Lannister the great crossbow capable of piercing a dragon. Although the building is not open to the public, its exterior and history are part of the tourist route.
In Santiponce, the archaeological site of Itálica hosted one of the most crowded scenes of the seventh season: the meeting at the Dragonpit, where Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow, and other key characters negotiated a truce to fight against the White Walkers. The Roman amphitheatre, with a capacity of 25,000 spectators, was closed for nearly a month for preparations, and the filming remained secret despite some leaks.
The Osuna Bullring, in the Écija region, became the Fighting Pit of Meereen, the setting where Daenerys Targaryen escaped from an attack during the fighting games. The arena, built in 1904, was chosen for its circular architecture and seating, which evoked the atmosphere of the show's battles.
These locations join others that had previously hosted shoots, such as Star Wars, and solidify Seville as a reference destination for film tourism. The route, promoted by the Seville City Council and the Provincial Council, includes guided tours and informational material for fans. Interested parties can check the schedules and prices on the tourism websites of each municipality.
For the residents of the province, this route offers an opportunity to rediscover their heritage from a different perspective. The Alcázars, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are already a top tourist attraction, but their connection to the series has increased their popularity among national and international visitors. In Santiponce, the site of Itálica welcomes thousands of tourists each year who seek the location where the Dragonpit scene was filmed.
The Game of Thrones route can be done independently or with a guide. It is recommended to check the opening hours of each monument, especially in the case of Itálica, which has partial closing days. The best time to visit them is in spring and autumn, when the temperatures are milder.
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