Spain preserves some of the most spectacular medieval fortresses in Europe. Many were built on mountains, cliffs, or strategic hills to control roads, borders, and entire territories. Centuries after their construction, some of these fortresses are still so impressive that it's easy to associate them with the castles described by George R. R. Martin in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels or with the settings seen in the Game of Thrones series.
Among them, four castles stand out, which, due to their location, appearance, or atmosphere, seem to belong to the world of Westeros: Zafra, Almodóvar del Río, Loarre, and Ponferrada.
Zafra Castle: the fortress of secrets
Zafra Castle in Guadalajara, Spain, was built during the 12th century on a narrow rocky ridge.
The first thing that stands out is that it barely seems to have been built on the rock: it seems to emerge directly from it.
The towers rise above enormous blocks of bare stone and the walls follow the irregular shapes of the terrain.
From a distance, the complex gives the impression of being an almost inaccessible fortress.
It is no coincidence that it was chosen to represent the Tower of Joy in the Game of Thrones series, an event for which it gained international fame.
In the series, that place had to convey isolation, mystery, and a sense of being located at the end of the world. The castle already possessed exactly those characteristics.
Key scenes related to Ned Stark's past and Jon Snow's origin were filmed there, taking advantage of the fact that it already conveyed that feeling.
Almodóvar del Río Castle: the castle of the great lords
Almodóvar del Río Castle has dominated a hill overlooking the Guadalquivir valley for over a thousand years.
Its origin is Islamic, although it was expanded and transformed over centuries.
Several crenellated towers stand out above the walls, forming a kind of stone crown visible from kilometers away.
The Game of Thrones production used it to represent Highgarden, the seat of House Tyrell.
The choice is easy to understand: in the books, Highgarden is described as the seat of one of the richest and most powerful families in Westeros, surrounded by fertile lands and gardens.
The Cordoban castle shares that image of lordly power. It not only conveys military strength but also projects wealth, prestige, and control over the surrounding territory, exactly what was expected of the most powerful house in the Reach.
Loarre Castle: a fortress worthy of the North
Built in the 11th century, Loarre Castle stands on a mountain in the province of Huesca.
It is one of the best-preserved Romanesque castles in Europe; its walls follow the curves of the mountain and seem to be part of the landscape itself. The gray stone towers stand out against the horizon of the Pyrenees, while forests and plains stretch at its feet.
Although it never appeared in the series, many fans compare it to the fortresses of the North of Westeros.
There is no official equivalent, but its massive walls, austere appearance, and mountainous surroundings recall the image that readers usually imagine when thinking of Winterfell or other northern fortresses described.
Ponferrada Castle: the power of a Templar fortress
Ponferrada Castle, in León, was one of the main fortresses of the Knights Templar on the Iberian Peninsula.
Unlike other more stylized castles, here the feeling of military power dominates. The walls are enormous, the towers multiply around the enclosure, and the defensive gates clearly show their strategic function.
Anyone who sees it can easily imagine a castle belonging to one of the great noble houses of Westeros.
Its dimensions and complexity recall the border fortresses described in the novels, built to protect entire territories and house permanent garrisons.
Particularly striking are the different defensive lines surrounding the enclosure, a characteristic that fits perfectly with the great military fortresses of the Game of Thrones universe.
Spanish Game of Thrones settings, beyond the castles
In addition to medieval castles, Spain provided several real locations that the Game of Thrones production used, almost without needing transformation, taking advantage of their architecture and surroundings as they exist.
The Real Alcázar of Seville was chosen to represent the Water Gardens of Dorne.
Its inner courtyards, with horseshoe arches, tiles, fountains, and ponds, create an enclosed space where water and light are protagonists, fitting the image of a warm and refined palace.
The monumental city of Cáceres became King's Landing.
Its stone streets, medieval towers, and irregular squares served as the basis for the capital of Westeros, complemented by digital effects to expand the city and reinforce its political scale.
The complex of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe was used as Dragonstone.
Its access via a narrow stone bridge over the sea, combined with a climb of more than 200 steps, reinforces the feeling of an isolated, strategic, and difficult-to-reach place.
The Roman site of Itálica, near Seville, was transformed into the Dragonpit.
Its stone amphitheater, with a circular shape and deep stands, served as a setting for key meetings within the story.
Each of these real spaces contributed a distinct visual identity to the series, integrating historical architecture and audiovisual narrative into a single visual composition.
