Trujillo, Cáceres and Monsanto: House of the Dragon’s Iberian Treasures
Discover the Southern European locations used to bring HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel to life
Taking advantage of an exceptionally mild autumn, the production team of the next prequel of Game of Thrones, entitled House of The Dragon, settled amid Spanish Extremadura and the foothills of the Portuguese Serra da Estrela to film part of the first season there, which is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2022.
Based on the book Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin, the series takes place two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones, and tells the story of House Targaryen, known for its dragons and mighty kings who ruled Westeros for nearly 300 years old.
Leaving the ins-and-outs of television film for the premiere, here is a sample of what enthusiasts of the series and others can expect from the three locations in the Iberian Peninsula chosen by HBO: Trujillo, Cáceres, and the very Portuguese village of Monsanto.
TRUJILLO: CRADLE OF CONQUERORS
Rising lofty in the immensity of the Iberian Plateau, Trujillo was the birthplace of two major symbols of Spanish Conquest in South America, Francisco Pizarro (conqueror of Peru) and Francisco de Orellana (discoverer of the Amazon ).
The preservation of its medieval Plaza Mayor convinced the production team of the series, who chose it to film several scenes of this prequel of Game of Thrones, installing a street market there, where fans and onlookers could observe Alicent Hightower’s carriage crossing the emblematic square, under the eyes of Pizarro from the top of his statue. We’ll see if the celebrated Conquistador will have the honors of appearing in the definitive episodes.
The walls of Trujillo’s castle will appear in striking scenes, which had already served as the setting for Casterly Rock, in the seventh season of Game of Thrones, and is a mandatory point of visit for anyone who stops at the “City of Conquerors.” Also worth mentioning is the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor.
In blogs dedicated to the series, comments emerged that other filming took place in La Alberca and at the Casa-Museo de la Coria. To be confirmed when the series broadcasts on the small screen.
CÁCERES: THE WEALTH OF A SINGULAR HERITAGE
An authentic monumental city, with such a preserved architectural building collection of the Old City — filled with churches, palaces and medieval convents — Cáceres and its region are crucial scenarios in the new HBO series, as it had already appeared in the original series as the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.
In the “Land of a Thousand Coats of Arms,” where the show’s Iberian headquarters were based, it became common for residents to come across staff members and actors alike, such as Milly Alcock, the protagonist who plays the role of young Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Among the main places to visit, the following stand out the most:
- Church of San Francisco Javier and the Jesuit School, a convent built in the 18th century.
- Palace of Los Golfines de Abajo, where the Catholic Monarchs spent the night when staying in the city.
- The Bujaco Tower, legacy of the Arab presence from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view
- Casa del Sol, a manor house from the 15th century.
- Episcopal Palace of Cáceres, from the 13th century, or Mayoralgo Palace, from the 16th century, with a magnificent patio mudéjar
- Cáceres Museum, which houses a Moorish aljibe (cistern), and a very rich legacy which attests to the Paleolithic, Arab and Roman presence, as well as a collection of contemporary Spanish art, namely El Greco.
MONSANTO: MAJESTIC RURALITY
Nicknamed Portugal’s Most Portuguese Village, not only for its physical characteristics but also because of its cultural identity, Monsanto’s blend of granite houses mixed with the rugged boulders stands out from the typical landscape of the mountainous Portuguese interior.
It was this integration — the walled architecture of the medieval castle with the huge rocks that emerge from Mons Sanctus — that seduced the producers to explore the hilly scenery of steep slopes. Through the windy sidewalks of dark and craggy alleys, the actors of the series were able to bring to life the fanciful plot in an authentic, mystical and imposing environment.
Caught in full costume here in Monsanto was the actor Matt Smith (Doctor Who), protagonist of House of The Dragon, playing Daemon Targaryen. As for his dragon Caraxes, one of the most monstrous creatures that will be seen throughout the series, the “Blood Wyrm” has yet to make an appearance in Portuguese lands.
According to the website lossietereinos.com, the shootings here were enhanced by nightly special effects at Monsanto Castle, where Graham McTavish (Ser Harrold Westerling, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard) was also present.
In short, we can expect breathtaking panoramas, picturesque sites and a rich architectural legacy, an heritage of erstwhile golden times which will leave astonished both the visitors who venture to stroll through the old towns as well as the viewers who will watch the series worldwide.
Not to be missed, venturous and movie-like!
