San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Photo: Alfonso Maseda Varela/Flickr
Yesterday was a big day for location news for Game of Thrones season 7, and happily we have even more updates from an assortment of outlets today.
Two of the newly announced shooting cities, Zumaia and Bermeo, are both found in the Basque country of Spain, about an hour-plus’s drive apart. A press conference took place today, and we’ve learned that filming starts in the city of Zumaia on October 26th, with six days of filming plus additional weeks of pre-production.
Baleike.eus confirms that filming in the city will be on Itzurun Beach. Zumaia mayor Oier Korta says the preliminary work will begin in August. It appears they initially considered late summer/early September for filming, but then adjusted the dates “to avoid the summer season,” says Korta.
EITB has the details on Bermeo’s Game of Thrones shoot. The city’s Councillor for Tourism, Irune Ormaetxea, told the press local filming starts in October, as it does in Zumaia, because “they need a winter environment.”
EITB confirms that Game of Thrones will film on the shores of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Ormaetxea says that HBO “have opted for only one location” in Bermeo, “because Gaztelugatze is something very unique.” Filming will reportedly involve a technical team of more than 400 people. They note that “the landing of [HBO’s] equipment is imminent,” in the area, and that’s why the announcement was made.
Los Barruecos
Hoy reports that filming will take place in Cáceres city and in Malpartida both in November.
Malpartida, a city in the province of Cáceres, is home to Los Barruecos, the expected site of shooting for season 7.
The press release did not specify the filming location in Malpartida, but it is commonly guessed that the shooting will be in the Barruecos. Hoy has also heard that there will be filming there of water scenes, which may require a lot of extras.
Another piece of great news: Los Siete Reinos has exclusively confirmed that that the filming location in Almodóvar del Río will be the castle, as we suspected. Their sources have confirmed that filming take place be in November, with Game of Thrones on site for more than a week. That time may include some pre-filming production tiime, however.
Either way, it’s a stunning castle, and an exciting addition to the Game of Thrones universe!
Italica. Photo: Andalucia.org
Another piece of information brought to us courtesy of Los Siete Reinos, they located an interview confirming details concerning Santiponce, in the province of Seville. As we speculated, Game of Thrones will be filming among the ancient Roman ruins of Italica. The information was confirmed by mayor of Santiponce, Carolina Casanova. Discussing the exciting news, the mayor says that HBO was also initially interested in a local former monastery, but found that it was too modern-looking for their purposes.
Thanks very much to Javi of Los Siete Reinos for his assistance with this news!
Now the real fun begins, having more details: speculation. Itzurun Beach would make a great landing point for Westeros, with the Storm’s End-like cliff face. Will the ruins of Italica become a dragon pit? And the Castillo de Almodóvar del Río would make an incredible Highgarden, if the new war on the rise arrives in the Reach.
HODOR!!
SPAIN!!
Red ViperQuote Reply
¡Hola!
I know it should be in Euskara
Ser Not Appearing in this SeriesQuote Reply
Pretty cool stuff. Hope the castle is either Highgarden or Casterly Rock. I’d love to see the rock. Jaime should be heading back to check on things at some point I’d imagine.
bringdownthatwallQuote Reply
I won’t say a “Hodor” because knowing my luck someone else will have posted in the interim. The locations look beautiful. I’ve been to the French Basque country some years ago but never to the Spanish part of the pays basque.
Dame of MerciaQuote Reply
For those of you who are wondering whether we are still Hodoring … I believe the answer is yes. At first, it was as a joke, but now, after The Door, as a tribute.
Red ViperQuote Reply
No speculation from me, just that I love these location updates because they are a form of travel porn. Just beautiful locations, and to be paid to go there. What a life.
RavynQuote Reply
Dany and the Gang arrives at Storm’s End, then Jon Connington and Aegon Mopatis walks out from the castle and says ”Finally, you make it! We waiting for you like 2 seasons ago off screen.”
r-hardQuote Reply
Greywater Watch hype! Howland Reed inc, maybe?
The Long NightQuote Reply
Ravyn,
Agree. These are some gorgeous locations, especially the first pic of that castle on the cliff. I never knew Spain had so many wonderful locations!
ghost of winterfellQuote Reply
cool
Roman MagizowQuote Reply
Makes more sense to have Stormlands locations than Greywater Watch at this point.
Those locations are stunning.
HotPinkLipstickQuote Reply
Maybe a return to Dragonstone to mine some dragonglass?
RpcolaQuote Reply
Los Barruecos- Greywater Watch, it must be.
House AdderQuote Reply
San Juan may look like Casterly Rock? Do we finally get to see it?
J BoltonQuote Reply
Hmmm
Top picture Dragonstone and Middle picture seem like Higharden at first glance
But quickly reading a few comments it seems that Casterly Rock and then Greywater Watch would be more likely
Either way all seems exciting, the implications are that the scripts are ready so the story at least is in existence
Ghosts LunchQuote Reply
What a beautiful country! I wish I could go back and visit now lol.
The ruins instantly made me think of a dragon pit. Wasn’t an amphitheater also mentioned in a previous post?
I’d love to see Greywater Watch too, though it seems too early. Maybe later in the season?
Flayed PotatoesQuote Reply
YEEAA!! let spoiler/speculation season begin!! lol
it soo hard to know what these are for because they can be just about anywhere (except The North of course lol)
we will get much better idea when we see what actors are where
poor Kit ..you know Alfie and Sam will be texting him beach pics while he is freezing his ass off in Iceland..lol
selenaQuote Reply
So beautiful! Such an amazing landscape, it reminds me of my country. I wish they come to Greece at some point. I can definitely imagine the beaches in Santorini being Dragonstone. Damn you lucky Spanish people xD
Rhaenys StarkQuote Reply
Those Italica ruins……somehow I stupidly imagine it as setting of tourney at harrenhal, just put another ruined tall buildings in the back 😀
Rainy SeasonQuote Reply
Flayed Potatoes,
are you from UK ? (because they will now need visa for Spain, lol)
I think the locations look like Casterly rock and Isle of Faces … the last one was always meant to play significant role
teunteulaiQuote Reply
I had never heard of any of this places.
Tywin of the HillQuote Reply
r-hard,
I needed this
SimenQuote Reply
Tourney at Harrenhal im betting for Italica
CathairQuote Reply
selena,
It’s totally not going to happen because I imagine Dany will eventually go north and not Jon south but imagine the breakdown around here if Kit is pictured filming in Spain.It would be so fun trying to guess
JennyQuote Reply
The news that Zumaia will need extras made my day. I’m so gonna try and get in! I live 30 minutes away, in the very same province.
Luka NietoQuote Reply
teunteulai,
Thankfully no lol.
I’d like to see the Isle of Faces too for obvious reasons 😛
Flayed PotatoesQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
Looking forward to see you in the show Luka! 🙂
MihneaQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
I, and I’m sure many, many others, would be so happy for you if that happened.
I think all of us should entreat the Old Gods and the New for Luka to be cast as an extra for next season. 🙂
Nymeria Warrior QueenQuote Reply
The castle could be Starfall in a Bran flashback. Ned did have Dawn last time we saw him.
Lonely CatQuote Reply
Wow all these places look amazing. I would say number one is some storm lands castle (maybe Tarth) or casterly Rock.
Los buericadsisjfnsi (or whatever) has got to be grey water watch or isle of faces.
And the Roman ruins looks like some dornish settlement or harrenhal as was suggested.
Cant wait for more set leaks.
TheLeechLordQuote Reply
Jenny,
Might not be so crazy, Daenerys’s army wouldn’t survive in the North, makes more sense if they met somewhere in the middle like Storm’s End.
Daemon BlackfyreQuote Reply
Daemon Blackfyre,
No I meant she will go north because of the white walkers.But yeah he could go south to convince her personally it could work
JennyQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
Good luck. That sounds awesome.
MagQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
Good luck, Luka! We’ll all be rooting for you to be chosen. It would be really cool to have a loyal member of the WOTW community score a role on the show we all love.
I’m guessing that if you do become an extra, you’ll need to sign some sort of non-disclosure agreement. But hopefully you’ll at least be able to let us know if you were selected at some point before the new season arrives! No further specifics necessary. 🙂
JaredQuote Reply
What a once-in-a-lifetime event this show is. From the source material to the skillful adaptation to the wonderful casting and these beautiful locations. There has never been anything like this on television. Again, thank you again to all those at WOTW for your hard work.
John the normal guyQuote Reply
What happens at GreyWater Guard that is so important to scout a location?
AlexGQuote Reply
AlexG,
There’s nothing in the books (yet) that is set there, but the thinking is that Howland Reed will be needed to confirm
FWIW, I think that setting looked a lot more like the ruins of Valyria than Greywater Watch.
RBloodworthQuote Reply
Yeah, my country is BEAUTIFUL!!! 🙂 (I love Greece too!!)
Luka no te digo nada, en tu tierra!!! Viva el Norte!!! 🙂
caliopesnowQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
That’s fantastic! Fingers crossed!
Sullied by KnightQuote Reply
RBloodworth,
ok,thank you very much for your response 🙂
AlexGQuote Reply
¡EL REY EN EL NORTE! Or, more appropriately, though Basque isn’t my forte: IPARRALDEKO ERREGEA!
Thank you all for your encouragement. Hopefully it all works out and I’m chosen to be an extra. Though I don’t wanna get too excited.
Luka NietoQuote Reply
Jajaja! Fingers crossed for you!!! Fijo, EL REY EN EL NORTEEEE!!! 🙂
Espero poder subir de nuevo pronto!!! Felicidades y mucha suerte! (Que buen gusto tienen al rodar allí!!!) GABON!
caliopesnowQuote Reply
RBloodworth,
I doubt there are any records in Citadel. Ned wouldn’t allow this after being extremely careful and Howland Reed is not really needed. Bran can do it.
Geralt of RiviaQuote Reply
Initially I thought the rocky terrain of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe would be perfect for Casterly Rock, but now I think it looks more appropriate for Storm’s End. I just don’t see Cersei or Jaime going to CR, but I can definitely see Dany’s forces landing at and making use of SE. Especially since it’s probably not occupied right now.
Though I don’t want to get my hopes up of ever seeing the Tourney of Harrenhal, I love your idea and I could totally see, with lots of CGI of course, Italica standing in for the tourney.
LOL, yup, Kit in Spain would throw us for a loop and a ton of fan predictions would go flying out the window.
BunBunStarkQuote Reply
So, they’ll film in Zumaia in October to avoid the summer conditions, and also film in Bermeo in October because they want the winter environment. Eeeee!! We’ll actually see winter in the South. I’m sure it won’t be nearly as brutal as it will be in the North, but I can’t wait to see the southerners deal with the cold conditions their forgotten brethren in the North have been dealing with. I’m sure Cersei won’t give a crap about how the the denizens of King’s Landing handle the change in the weather as long as she’s in the Red Keep with blazing fires and wine to warm her belly. It will also be interesting to see how the Dothraki and Unsullied react to their first taste of (mild) winter.
BunBunStarkQuote Reply
I’m thinking the Ruins of Italica at Santiponce could be Summerhall.
MandzipopQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
I pray to old and new gods that you get in.
dragonbringerQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
Ah I hope you get in.Mucha suerte!!
JennyQuote Reply
Italica amphitheatre is for Cleganebowl!!!!! GET HYPE!!!!
avadzQuote Reply
Gaztelugatxe is a small island in the Basque town of Bermeo, Basque Country (Between Spain and France). It is linked to the mainland by a bridge of two arches. On the island there is a chapel dedicated to St. John dating from the tenth century, although some discoveries dating from the ninth century.
The place of this strategic location has made it play an important role in different historical events. It was one of the places where King Alfonso XI of Castile and Mr. of Biscay Juan Núñez de Lara in 1334 faced.
In 1594 it was attacked by heretics of La Rochelle, suffering plunder and murder of the hermit who was in his care. In the eighteenth century it was raided by British troops
Access is spectacular. A narrow road from the mainland and crosses over the rocks by a stone bridge allows you to reach the top of the island after climbing 241 steps. The road is also found I marked with successive stations of a Via Crucis. Usually between walkers tradition ring the bell from the chapel, symbolizing the effort made, once 241 steps ascended the. The effort is worthwhile.
Jose Ramon Basque ContryQuote Reply
Zumaia and Bermeo don’t look like southern Westeros at all. Well, maybe the Stormlands, which was previously filmed in Northern Ireland.
Luka NietoQuote Reply
Oh! That would be fabulous! Then we’d get to see my namesake accepting the sword back from Ned! Aaahhh! You just totally amped up my wish-o-meter!
Luka Nieto,
Sending lucky vibes your way, Luka! Good luck!
Ashara DQuote Reply
Keeping my fingers crossed. How exciting would that be for you, being an extra in a show you love. Good luck and let us know if you made it.
NewbietothegameQuote Reply
RBloodworth,
Well, wouldn’t one think that since Howland was given a new King without having any word he would need to head up to Winterfell to pay homage? he def. would if he knew it was Jon. He didn’t get the chance to for Robb because Robb had already ordered him to hold the neck so he sent his kids.
Storms End, HighGarden, or Casterly Rock are probably the bigger draws. Only major locations we have not seen yet, all capitols for their respective regions. If I had to guess it would be one of those 3 before Greywater Watch. Also, Greywater Watch is a floating castle, my opinion is they would build Greywater watch like they built Riverrun.
StargaryenQuote Reply
Geralt of Rivia,
Who would believe Bran? Oh hey I touched a Weirwood and saw the past. I know who your parents are. He needs Howland Reed to confirm it. Also, maybe the maids that were there (cool theory that Baelish found one of the maids and he knows the truth). But no way the people believe Bran based off visions. Bran would have to lie and say Ned told him or have someone else confirm him – Howland.
StargaryenQuote Reply
Stargaryen,
It seems impossible that Varys doesn’t know or at least suspect that it’s likely. He was King Aerys’ master of whispers before Robert’s after all. Although, his doings in the books point to him still being loyal to the Targaryens so you’d think it would have been noted if he knows. Of course there is the fact that it still hasn’t been confirmed in the books who Jon’s parents are. George is still stringing the secret along so he hasn’t written who knows.
ClobQuote Reply
I need Howland Reed and Greywater Watch in my life
DerekQuote Reply
be heading there because *peace out psycho mad biatch queen*
aeaQuote Reply
So excited!!! The Basque Country is my land. The “castle” that you guys are talking about is actually a small church. It will be interesting to see what they do to make it look more like a castle. There are 200+ stairs to get to the top so we will see what they do when it comes to dealing with all the filming crew, extras etc.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is the best. I am headed home this summer too bad they changed the filming to October otherwise I would have tried to make it.
Iratxe CardwellQuote Reply
That looks like a Casterly Rock to me, but I always imagined the Rock of Gibraltar as a perfect place for shooting of it.
utherwolfQuote Reply
Buena suerte Luka 🙂
Black RavenQuote Reply
Luka Nieto,
Good luck Luca!!
BriQuote Reply
I always imagined Casterly Rock as the Edinburgh castle.
StargaryenQuote Reply
Don’t rule out White Harbor as a possible location next year. Why else would they have bothered to introduce Wyman Manderly in the manner they did?
P.S. Show!Manderly looks like Rob Ryan.
A Man GrownQuote Reply
Cool.
ChimenyQuote Reply
avadz,
Why? What proof it’ll ever happen?
Out-to-lunchQuote Reply
utherwolf,
Casterly Rock was 1st impression, then I wondered about Storm’s End. The look does suit Storm’s End better taking a few things on board.
It’d fit with Dany’s arc. Born and taking flight from Dragonstone (to be handed to a Baratheon), to Storm’s End (to take from Baratheon loyalists).
Dany’s known as Stormborn (among her ridiculously countless – unnecessary to chime out constantly – titles), to begin campaign in Westeros at Storm’s End, which she hopes she’ll be.
Beginning and end for the Usurpers.
Out-to-lunchQuote Reply
Seeing these pictures I’m feeling fairly certain that Dany will be facing off against Euron and Cersei all season (with some set backs) before agreeing to head north at the end of episode 7.
Jon SnowedQuote Reply
I was at both San Juan de Gatzelugatxe and Zumaia in the last few days (before finding out they were filing locations).
The church at the top of San Juan de Gatzelugatxe is pretty small so it would need a bit of cgi to make it look like a castle.
Damon CrawfordQuote Reply
A Man Grown,
Manderly looks like a merman.
JaneQuote Reply
Will you post anything about casting calls for extras in Spain?
Cheers, Shay
ShayQuote Reply
ghost of winterfell,
Its actually a chapel on the top, and theres a really nice restaurant relatively close with a magnificent view of the coast. Tourists and locals alike love it.
InigoQuote Reply
Jump to the Top