Game of Thrones Filming Sites Tour (Self Guided), Dubrovnik

The Pile Gates are a well-fortified complex with multiple doors, defended by Fort Bokar and the moat that runs around the outside section of the city walls. At the entrance gate to the Old Town, on the western side of the land walls, there is a stone bridge between two Gothic arches designed by the esteemed architect Paskoje Miličević in 1471. This bridge connects to another bridge, a wooden drawbridge that can be pulled up. During the republican era, the wooden drawbridge was hoisted each night with considerable pomp in a ceremony which delivered the city's keys to the Ragusan rector.

Today, it spans a dry moat whose garden offers respite from the crowds. Above the bridges, over the arch of the Old Town's principal gateway, there is a statue of the city patron Saint Blaise (Croatian: Sveti Vlaho) holding a miniature replica of the Renaissance-period Dubrovnik. After passing the Pile Gate's original Gothic inner gateway, it is possible to reach one of the three access points to the city walls.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
The Pile Gate has been featured in a number of episodes of Game of Thrones Seasons 2 and 3, most notably in Season 2, Episode 6 ‘The Old Gods and the New’. In a scene where King Joffrey returns to Red Keep after Marcella is sent away to Dorne, he gets attacked by the angry mob gathered at the entrance and screams ‘Kill them, kill them all’. The Gate also shows in Season 3, Episode 10 ‘Mhysa’ when Jamie Lannister returns to King’s Landing.

Fort Bokar, otherwise known as "Zvjezdan", is considered to be among the most beautiful examples of harmonious and functional fortification architecture. This two-story casemate fortress was built by the Italian architect and sculptor Michelozzo di Bartolomeo Michelozzi from 1461 to 1463 as part of the city walls which at that time were under reconstruction. The cylindrical fort protruding into the sea almost entirely was conceived as the key point of defense of the Pila Gate, the western fortified entrance to Dubrovnik, and, after the Minčeta Tower, is the second most key point in the defense of the western land approach to the city.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
Fort Bokar frequently appears throughout all seasons of Game of Thrones when they show people walk past the city walls of King's Landing. One of the most memorable scenes is in Season 2, Episode 8, where Tyrion and Lord Varys are looking out at sea discussing the defense strategies for King's Landing with the Red Keep visible in the background.

The Ethnographic Museum of Dubrovnik is housed in a 16th century building, originally designed as a granary. The Republic of Dubrovnik used to keep here their national grain supply, so its importance is hard to overestimate. Interestingly enough, the building was one of the few in the city to have survived the great earthquake of 1667 practically unscathed.

Today, the museum collection illustrates what life was like for the common folk of the region in the old days. Among the exhibits are pieces of ancient clothing, including ceremonial costumes worn during festivities, the old Rector’s robes and other garments. There is some beautiful artwork featuring local wildlife, too. A good portion of the display is dedicated to the agrarian theme: local farm tools and appliances, various pieces of equipment used with farm animals, etc. Also, since this is a former grain mill, you will find here plenty of information on how the culture went about saving the grain to survive long winters, and more.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
In the Game of Thrones series, this old granary appears as Littlefinger’s brothel in King’s Landing, featured in Season 4, Episode 1 ‘Two Swords’, where Tyrion meets Oberyn Martell who is in King’s Landing to seek vengeance for the death of his sister and her children.

Why You Should Visit:
Beautifully displayed collection, small enough to explore in ~90 min max; all captions are in English. Knowledgeable and friendly staff are willing to answer questions.

Tip:
The ticket office will offer the 'Museums of Dubrovnik' pass – good for 9 museums / 7 days (this is helpful as not all museums are open everyday). This the only way you can gain access inside.

Opening Hours:
Wed-Mon: 9am-8pm (Jun 15-Sep 15); 9am-4pm (rest of the year)

Designed by Roman architect Pietro Passalacqua, the Jesuit Stairs is yet another fine example of Baroque architecture in Dubrovnik. Bearing a striking resemblance to the well known Spanish Steps in Rome, this grand staircase was built in 1738. If you walk up the stairs, you will end up in Uz Jezuite Street where the church of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuit College (Collegium Ragusinum) are located. Stemming from the Baroque style planning – typical for this part of the Old Town, the staircase accentuates the prominent position of the Jesuit College and the church.

At the bottom of the stairs, in Gundulic Square, there is a market selling fresh produce from the neighboring villages, and if you happen to be here when the tower clock strikes noon, you may be surprised by a somewhat bizarre, if not say frightening (reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds), flocking of pigeons gathering here to eat the grain offered to them each day at the same hour.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
The Jesuit Staircase provided backdrop for one of the most memorable scenes in the Game of Thrones series, doubling as the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing from where Cercei must start upon her infamous Walk of Shame (or Atonement) in Season 5, Episode 10 ‘Mother’s Mercy’ in order to return home. Overall, her walk passes through four locations within the Old Town including, apart from the Jesuit Staircase – Od Margarite Street, St. Dominic Street and Ploče Gate.

The Rector’s Palace is a historical museum that provides a live illustration of the 15th century seat of power in Dubrovnik when it was the home of the Rector and the City Council.

The palace itself is rather modest. Opulence has never been much in favor with the local rich. Viewing this location, one may be surprised as to how simple the design is. There is no luxury to be found. Instead, there are great historical collections of metalwork, paintings, and textiles from the ancient period, among which there are pieces of works by the artists like Tintoretto and Bordone.

The palace was designed by Onofrio della Cava, the same architect who built Dubrovnik's landmark fountains. The building was extensively damaged in the late 1400s. During reconstruction, some of the more classic Italian Renaissance style elements crept into the design. The palace also suffered from the 1667 earthquake, upon which its atrium was rebuilt and some Baroque style elements were added.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
The Rector’s Palace appears in the Game of Thrones series Season 2, Episode 6 “the Old God’s and the New” when Daenerys visits the Spice King’s mansion to ask the Thirteen rulers of Qarth for ships to carry her army across the Narrow Sea, but is refused. The Qarth was filmed on a number of locations around Dubrovnik. The Rector’s Palace is one of them, where the indoors scenes were shot. Also, the courtyard was used to film the scene between Khaleesi and the Spice King (Season 2).

Why You Should Visit:
You can go up the stairs to see the Rector's rooms. There are some gorgeous pieces of furniture and artwork to admire.
On the ground floor, the various rooms house some historic pieces from the jail and armory, plus lovely sculptures.

Tip:
Try and get to the palace early in the day before the cruise ship crowds get here.
The place is particularly beautiful after dark for taking photos.
There's no English interpretation without the brochure, so make sure you get one if you go inside.

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am-6pm (Apr-Oct); 9am-4pm (Nov-Mar)

Highlighted by the Dominican monastery – hence the name, St. Dominic Street connects Ploče Gate with Stradun. Perhaps somewhat unimpressive at a glance, this narrow street has been nonetheless one of the most recognizable in Dubrovnik as of lately. It gained fame after being used in several of the Game of Thrones episodes, providing location for most of the market scenes in King's Landing and the ones featuring the City Watch.

It was also the location where the killing of one of King Robert’s bastard sons by the Gold Cloaks took place. Another notable appearance was in Season 2, Episode 5 ‘The Ghost Of Harrenhal’ where Tyrion and Bronn witnessed a protest speech against the Lannisters – Cersei and King Joffrey, described as ‘fruit of the incest’, delivered from the steps of the Monastery. In Season 5, Episode 10 ‘Mother’s Mercy’, Cersei Lannister took a naked walk through this street, as a sign of penance.

On the eastern side of the land walls of Dubrovnik stands the second major entrance to the city, the Gate of Ploče. This Romanesque style gate consists of inner and outer section and is protected by the freestanding Revelin Fortress, which are connected by a wooden drawbridge and a twin-spanned stone bridge spanning a protective ditch. The Outer Gate of Ploče was designed and constructed by architect Mihajlo Hranjac in 1628, while the two bridges to the Revelin Fortress were built in the 15th century by Paskoje Miličević. The latter also designed the Pile Gate bridges, which explains their similarities. Presiding over the Ploče Gate, just like the Gate of Pile, is the statue of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
The Ploče Gate appeared in Season 2 and Season 5 of the Game of Thrones series. In Season 2, Episode 5, ‘The Ghost of Harrenhal’ it shows in the background as Tyrion and Lancel Lannister talk with Bronn. In Season 5, Episode 10 ‘Mother’s Mercy’, Cercsei passes over the stone bridge, entering the Red Keep through the Ploče Gate after completing her Walk of Shame, and is greeted by Qyburn.

The Minčeta Tower was built by a local architect, Nicifor Ranjina, and Italian engineers sent by Pope Pius II in 1463, at the height of the Turkish invasion threat. Originally designed as a strong four-sided fort, it is the most prominent point in the defense system from the land. The tower takes its name from the Menčetić family, who owned the land on which it was built. With its height and impressive size, the tower dominates the northwestern high part of the city and its walls.

In the middle of the 15th century, around the earlier quadrilateral fort, Italian architect and sculptor Michelozzo di Bartolomeo Michelozzi built a new round tower using new warfare technique, and linked it to the new system of low scarp walls. The full six-meter (20 feet) thick walls of the new tower had a series of protected gun ports. Another architect and sculptor, Giorgio da Sebenico of Zadar, continued work on the Minčeta; he designed and built the high narrow round tower. The battlements are a later addition. The tower in its current form was completed in 1464 to become a symbol of the unconquerable city of Dubrovnik.

Nowadays, the Minčeta Tower is a museum. After a long excavation, a 16th-century cannon foundry was discovered underneath it, in Gornji ugao (Upper Tower). Since Minčeta is the highest point of the wall, it is famed for providing a seemingly "unforgettable" view of the city.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
Minceta Tower appears in Season 2, Episode 10 ‘Valar Morghulis’ as the House of the Undying in Qarth, a huge tower that doesn’t seem to have any door – notably in the scene when Danaerys gets back from a walk to find that her dragons have been stolen. Danaerys and Ser Jorah run to the House of the Undying, with Danaerys circling the tower and Jorah following right behind her. Having turned around the corner she disappears, magically accessing the tower. This scene was also shot at the Minčeta.

Originally the most important point of entry in Dubrovnik, West Harbor offers the shortest path to the Pile Gate. It's no wonder that this place was also chosen to be one of the key filming locations for the Game of Thrones series.

The picturesque harbour doubled as Blackwater Bay with its stone pier being where Sansa and Shae watched the ships in Season 3, Episode 1 ‘Valar Dohaeris’ when Littlefinger arrived to talk to Sansa and offer her a way out. This little bay also provided setting for the epic battle of Blackwater Bay, and was used for a number of other scenes too, including the most iconic one from Season 2 in which the Gold Cloaks received order to kill all of King Robert Baratheon’s illegitimate children.

Fort Lovrijenac or St. Lawrence Fortress, also dubbed "Dubrovnik's Gibraltar", is a fortress and theater outside the western wall of the city, soaring 37 metres (121 ft) above sea level. Famous for its plays and importance in resisting Venetian rule, it overshadows the two entrances to the city, from the sea and by land.

Chronologists date the fort's origin to either 1018 or 1038. Early in the 11th century, the Venetians attempted to build a fortification on the same spot where Fort Lovrijenac currently stands. If succeeded, they would have kept Dubrovnik under their power, but the people of the city beat them to it. When the Venetian ships arrived filled with construction materials for the fort, they were told to return to Venice.

The Chronicles of Ragusa reveal how the fort was built within just three months and from then on was constantly reconstructed. The first record of its existence, however, appeared only in 1301 when the council voted on the Fort Commander.

Nowadays, Lovrijenac is famous for hosting the Croatian leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
Fort Lovrijenac also gained fame as the recognizable Red Keep double in King’s Landing, frequently appearing in Season 2 and Season 3 of Game of Thrones. In particular, it was the location for King Joffrey’s naming ceremony in Season 2, Episode 1 ‘The North Remembers’ where a celebrating tournament was held.

Later in the same episode, the Red Keep is where Cersei confronts Littlefinger and he tells her ‘Knowledge is power’ to which she exclaims: ‘Power is power’. It is also the destination where King Joffrey is headed after being attacked at Pile Gate and where Tyrion slaps him across the face.

Gradac is the largest and most famous park in Dubrovnik, located on the top of the cliffs above the Danača beach in the Pile-Kono district, just a short walk from the Old Town. The park was established in 1898 as a vast (1.7 ha) tranquil zone for people to come and enjoy beautiful nature in a close proximity to the urban setting. Overgrown with pine forest and dotted with numerous wooden benches set in the shade, this is a popular recreation space much loved by locals and tourists alike.

At the entrance there is a small pond with some goldfish slowly swimming around. From here one can also enjoy an excellent view over the Lovrijenac Fortress, the Pile and the roofs of the Old Town, while the other areas in the park afford a similarly picturesque view of the monastery, Danče beach and the open sea.

*** Game of Thrones Tour ***
Gradac Park made appearance in Season 4 Episode 2 ‘The Lion and the Rose’ in the scene of the Purple Wedding feast in which King Joffrey met his end from poisoning. The Park also featured in the same season Episode 3 ‘Breaker of the Chains’ when Sansa flees from King’s Landing.