Game of Thrones Season 5 takes viewers on a breathtaking journey across Westeros and Essos, brought to life through stunning filming locations. The ten exciting episodes of this season of the hit HBO show aired from April 12, 2015, to June 14, 2015. The show, which was based on George R.R. Martin’s books A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, kept its mix of political intrigue, epic battles, and complicated characters.
The season is directed by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and stars Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Kit Harington, among others. The season got great reviews and set a Guinness World Record for the most Emmy Awards won in a single year. It was known for its high production values and complex plots. Let’s dive into the filming locations that helped create the magical world of Game of Thrones Season 5.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Plot Summary
In Game of Thrones Season 5 power struggles, survival and betrayals dominate the Seven Kingdoms and beyond. Tywin and Joffrey Lannister have died, and Tommen, the youngest Lannister heir, takes their place as king. Meanwhile, his mother Cersei teams up with a religious group called the Faith Militant, but her plan goes wrong. She ends up in prison and has to walk in public as punishment.
Jon Snow takes charge as the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and faces challenges from both his own men and the looming threat of the White Walkers. Besides that he works with the Wildlings to save them from certain death. In Winterfell, Sansa Stark is stuck in a terrible marriage to Ramsay Bolton, and she and Theon Greyjoy are planning their escape. Stannis Baratheon starts a foolish campaign to take over the North, which ends in defeat and his death.
Across the Narrow Sea, in Meereen, Daenerys Targaryen is having a hard time keeping her dragons under control. Arya Stark learns how to be an assassin in Braavos, but she will get in a lot of trouble if she breaks the rules. Fans can’t wait for the next chapter because the season ends with Jon’s shocking betrayal at the Wall.
Where Was ‘Game of Thrones Season 5’ Filmed?
Game of Thrones Season 5 was filmed across breathtaking locations, including Northern Ireland for Winterfell and the Iron Islands, Croatia for King’s Landing and Braavos, Spain for Dorne and Meereen, and Iceland for scenes beyond the Wall.
These diverse locations brought the fictional world of Westeros and Essos vividly to life. Here’s a detailed look at where Season 5 was filmed:
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland continued to serve as a vital filming hub for Game of Thrones, offering diverse landscapes that perfectly captured the essence of Westeros. Key locations included:
- Castle Ward: This area is used to show Winterfell, which is the ancestral home of the Stark family. With its lush greenery and medieval architecture, the grounds around the building made it feel more real.
Game of Thrones Season 5 filmed at Ballintoy Harbour, Northern Ireland - Ballintoy Harbour: The Iron Islands, home of House Greyjoy, were set in this beautiful harbor. The scenes felt wild and raw because of the beauty of the land.
Game of Thrones Season 5 filmed at The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland - The Dark Hedges: This spooky, beautiful row of beech trees, also known as the Kingsroad, became one of the most famous places where the show was filmed.David Benioff, who runs the show, once said, “The Dark Hedges is pure magic; it’s like walking into a fantasy world.”
- The different landscapes of Northern Ireland were also used to play many other parts of Westeros, such as the Riverlands and areas beyond the Wall.
Croatia
Croatia’s historical beauty made it a great place to film King’s Landing and Braavos.
- Dubrovnik: The medieval walls, narrow streets and views of the coast continued to enchant viewers as the main filming location for King’s Landing. Because of its unique architecture, the city was a great choice to be the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.
Game of Thrones Season 5 filmed at Šibenik, Croatia - Šibenik: This coastal city was turned into Braavos and the Cathedral of St. James was used as the Iron Bank. There was more to Braavos than meets the eye because of its intricate stonework and one-of-a-kind design.Actor Peter Dinklage, who played Tyrion Lannister, said of the locations, “Croatia feels like a character in its own right. King’s Landing and Braavos come to life with its history and charm.”
Spain
There were new places in Spain in Season 5, which gave the show a new, lively look.
- Seville (Real Alcázar): The Real Alcázar was the Water Gardens of Dorne, which was the huge home of House Martell. Its fancy tilework, lush gardens and calm pools gave the scenes a royal look.Alex Siddig, who played Doran Martell, said, “The Alcázar gave Dorne a sense of exotic elegance that could not be found anywhere else.”
Game of Thrones Season 5 filmed at Osuna, Spain - Osuna: The town’s bullring turned into Meereen’s fighting pit and Daenerys was caught off guard in a dramatic way. The historic building perfectly matched the story’s grandeur and danger.
Game of Thrones Season 5 filmed at Córdoba, Spain - Córdoba (Roman Bridge): This famous Roman bridge, which showed the Long Bridge of Volantis, gave the Essos story a sense of grandeur.Emilia Clarke said, “Shooting in Spain was like stepping into a different world. It gave Meereen and Volantis a depth and vibrancy that made the story better.”
Iceland
Iceland’s cold wilderness was perfect for scenes that took place outside the Wall. Its dramatic landscapes showed how harsh and unforgiving the land was where the Free Folk and the White Walkers lived. Some important places were:
- Lake Myvatn: This area, with its frozen lakes and strange volcanic formations, was the setting for Jon Snow’s adventures.
Game of Thrones Season 5 filmed at Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland - Vatnajökull National Park: This vast glacier provided the icy terrain needed for the Night’s Watch missions.Kit Harington who played Jon Snow, remarked, “Iceland’s raw beauty is unmatched. It’s cold, remote, and challenging to film in, but it’s worth it for the authenticity it brings to the scenes.”
Morocco
In earlier seasons, Essos was filmed in Morocco a lot. By Season 5, however, most of the filming had moved to Spain. But the architecture and culture of Morocco continued to inspire the settings for Meereen and other Essos worlds.
When Did the Filming of ‘Game of Thrones Season 5’ Take Place?
Filming for Season 5 began in July 2014 and went on until the end of the year. The production team worked hard in many countries to get the beautiful images that fans associate with the show. Every place, from Northern Ireland to Spain, gave the series more depth and realism.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Cast Details
The stellar cast of Game of Thrones Season 5 included many familiar faces:
- Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
- Kit Harington as Jon Snow
- Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
- Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
New cast members included:
- Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow
- Alexander Siddig as Doran Martell
The amazing acting by the cast brought George R.R. Martin’s characters to life, making Season 5 an experience that fans all over the world will never forget.
Game of Thrones Season 5 is still a landmark in television history thanks to its epic plots and stunning filming locations. Leave a comment below with your favorite place or scene from the season where the show was filmed.
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