From Game of Thrones fiction to reality in Split

The award winning HBO hit series is a definite favorite being the product of great casting, story, production and.... stunning film sets. Split, Croatia is the idyllic location chosen for plenty of the jaw dropping, memorable scenes from Game of Thrones throughout the seasons. After seven nerve-racking and spectacular seasons, the hit show has left hundreds of thousands of fans eagerly awaiting for the final season to air in April. For many, the pause seems everlasting. So in the meantime, to shorten the wait, why not visit some of the most memorable filming locations following our guide?

To best explore and experience these wonderful locations, the Game of Thrones tour is a must. Allow local guides to walk you through the three filming locations in Split, and learn about Croatian culture and history as well as cool behind-the-scenes facts about the show. The tour is topped off by a delicious traditional Croatian peka barbecue lunch with local wine and homemade bread by the water mill filming location. The semi-private tours allow only 2-7 people, but private tours are also available.

The tour includes three different filming locations. First, the 7th century Klis Fortress, which was an essential part of the Split defence, developed from being a smaller castle to a large fortress during the Ottoman wars. Next, the UNESCO Heritage Diocletian's Palace constructed in the 4th century AD, as a retirement home for Roman emperor Diocletian. And the third one, the Old Watermill, one of the few remaining mills of the area, providing beautiful scenery for the photographers amongst you.

The tour is recognized for its pleasant and dedicated guides, which makes the experience even more special for visitors. “When you enter the west side of the cellar of Diocletian's Palace, the first thing anyone notices is the density of the air and how the temperature falls rapidly as you walk deeper into the core of Diocletian's creation. You are surrounded by megalithic lime stone blocks and enormous pillars in the largest chamber, which was used to film two amazing Game of Thrones scenes” says tour guide Tino Plosnic about his favorite part of the tour.

He continues by telling us that the HBO film crew did very little remodelling of the cellars when they were turned into the catacombs of Meereen where Daenerys kept her dragons. After watching season five, visitors will have no problem reconizing them and reliving the scenes. The cellars were actually also used as Daenery's throne room. But this required a bit more work after filming, as this room poses as a sun-lit, embellished chamber. “This is definitely my favorite filming location. Because it is a great example of how filming magic can transform a 1,700-year-old location into something completely different” says guide Tino Plosnic.

An Emmy sensation

Game of Thrones set the record for most Emmy wins by a series in a single year in the Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2018, the 7th season won 47 Emmy awards out of 128 nominations. This fit perfectly with the grand collection of academy statues they already hold. Many of these awarded due to unrivalled visuals, locations, costumes and styling. Throughout the series, watchers have been introduced to several new parts of the realm. And the locations never cease to amaze. In season 4, Split was chosen as a new location and has featured in many episodes throughout the seasons, mainly season 4 and 5. As a result, these wonderful landmarks are attracting visitors and fans from all over the world looking for a taste of this fantastic world of fiction.

Most of the locations in Split and the surrounding areas have been filmed whilst following the story of character-favorite Daenerys Stormborn, the Mother of Dragons and Breaker of Chains on her journey to Meereen and beyond. The scenes that take place in Meereen were filmed at Diocletian's Palace as well as Klis Fortress. Split city is one of the many cities used when filming scenes in King's Landing, along with similar locations in Dubrovnik and Ston.

Situated only 3 kilometers from the city center, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Split sits in scenic surroundings on a white pebble beach that runs along the aquamarine waters of the Adriatic Sea. A perfect location to retreat to after a long day of Game of Thrones sightseeing!

The Game of Thrones production has been ground breaking in many ways. But one of the most noteworthy is the dual-location set up. Several producers are working on different locations, filming simultaneously. Both actors and crew commute between the locations in five different countries to ensure that the seasons air as planned. After filming, the animators put in hours and hours to perfect the locations and details, making the show one of a kind. Stay tuned for the 8th and final season of Game of Thrones, airing in the April!

Psst! Rumour has it that Belfast as well as Iceland are yet again key filming locations for the upcoming season!