Review of Game Of Thrones – Is it possible to see dragons flying over, dire wolves, and giants while an army of the dead threatens the world from the north; indeed, it is if you are entering the world of Fire and Blood. The second you hear the intense drum and cello background in the opening credits, every “Thronies” would be hooked. It is the main architectural imprint, unfolding the luxurious castles and ports emerging from the map. The series has been popular for its storyline and the show’s spectacular architectural essence.
The geopolitical fantasy world was inspired by locations creating an impact for the viewers, where dragons and knights fight in places – real places that exist or existed around the world. The design has been a stunning backdrop and forms a crucial part of the narrative. The psychology of the space is the essence of the series, and truly it has elevated the series to the next level.
With the most anticipated series that has taken a whirl of fascination among the audience, take an architectural tour of the seven kingdoms and beyond.
1. Kings Landing | Review of Game Of Thrones
Kings Landing is the royal capital of the seven kingdoms, one of the epicentres of the saga of the war of five kings. Set up by Aegon the conqueror I, once a hilltop and forest became the cynosure of politics, war, and power in three hundred centuries. One of the most filmed locations in a real-world setting, the clifftop fortifications of Malta create an urban backdrop to the series. The scene of Kings Landing takes inspiration from the City of Dubrovnik in Croatia. The medieval metropolis follows Croatian architecture highlighting Baroque art hops on from the Red keep to the Great Sept of Baelor, Dragon pit to Blackwater bay and Flea bottom, offering a different perspective to viewers.
2. Winter fell
As the plot begins, it clearly portrays fairly concepts of fantasy revealing the Northern kingdom, a huge castle complex spanning several acres embodied by massive walls altogether. Immediate associations of Winterfell are dark, gloomy snow-riddled walls, stone towers, and castles steeped in tradition and history emphasizing the “classic medievalism“, strategically pulling off real-world experience.
True to its name, the ancient “Medieval” backdrop for Winterfell is to reason the Starks remark “Our way is the old way” surviving thousands of winters. Integration of hot springs and high stoned fortress walls amidst the ancient godswood and natural hot springs has shown how the author has made an effort to create an impact on the audience that winter is around every corner.
3. Meeren – Slavers Bay | Review of Game Of Thrones
Meeren, one of the northernmost parts and the largest city among the Slavers bay – cities, on the mouth of Skahazhadan River through mountains separating Meeren from the Red waste. Meeren goes down in history in two degrees. The “Siege of Meeren” and The “Liberation of Meeren”.
Two different perspectives with two different backdrops, one of them are Ancient Mayan temples to 20th-century dwellings, where the Great Pyramid and Temple of Graces for Red priestess draw inspiration from the former to The “Masters” era, also known as the “Siege of Meeren” to develop a The other one was shot at Fortress Klis in Croatia, a 2000 years old structure,
Use of textile blocks and stained glasses to the seat of power in Meeren, The great pyramid, and Inspirations were drawn from Wright’s Enice and Hollyhock house in Los Angeles.
4. Sun spear – Dorne
Dorne is considered to be unique from the rest of Westeros, as it happens to be a lush, exotic spot and menacing, highlighting the features of the Ancient Middle east. Also known as the “Old palace “and happens to be the seat of House Martell.
A walled settlement, embodied by three massive winding walls on sides bound by alleys and hidden courts and bazaars. The inspirations drawn for the Sun spear range from East to West Much of architecture is definitely inspired by Moorish architecture from Western Europe, which is evident through the domes crowing the tower of Sand ships. Furthermore, Palestine’s influence has also been involved, where architecture in Palestine follows Moorish architecture.
5. The Iron Lands | Review of Game Of Thrones
Pyke is considered to be one of the stronghold castles of Winterfell for centuries. Both Winterfell and Iron islands have striking similarities as their inspirations are drawn from Pre Gothic ancient “northern medieval” architecture. Originally, Pyke was built on a Clifftop overhanging towards the ocean. Eventually, the rocks collapsed due to erosion leaving the castles and towers stranded in three individual rock tops amidst the ocean. The castles were connected through bridges in the later years as the Greyjoys did not make an effort to build any, as they implied to show the stylistic choice of imposing “Ocean ” as their Culture and History. As many have suggested, the Iron islands seemingly are connected with Vikings as both have been traders, explorers, and raiders.
6. The Wall
The Wall is the massive barrier in the northernmost part of the seven kingdoms separating them from the wild lands beyond. It runs about 300 miles and stands at a height of 700 ft. The invasion of Night king in Season 7 collapsed the massive structure though, it was all speculative and did not exist in the real world. But few of the frozen waste were shot in Icelandic national parks and glaciers.
Conclusion | Review of Game Of Thrones
When architecture and imagined space settings work together, it attains its rich cinematic aesthetic, which was never an easy feat.
“Mostly, I look to architects and architecture. I also think about the places I have traveled, the buildings I have seen, and more importantly, how I felt when in those spaces. The psychology of space is very important to me.”
explains Deborah Riley, a former architecture student and set designer of Game of Thrones. Beyond igniting a serious emotional impact among the audiences, architecture here has truly made an effort in gratifying the essence and extraordinary beauty of the seven kingdoms and beyond.
References
- George R.R Martin and Elio Garcia, “Winterfell” The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros (Fantasy Flight Publishing, 2014), [ Accessed on 25 September 2022]
- ”The Cultural Influences of The World of Ice and Fire.” A Forum of Ice and Fire, http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/121728-the-cultural-influences-of-the-world-of-ice-and-fire/ [Accessed on 24 September, 2015)
- Martin, George R. R., and Elio Garcia. “Pyke.” In The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones, 193. (Fantasy Flight Publishing, 2014). ), [Accessed on 25 September 2022]
- Martin, George R. R., and Elio Garcia. “Sunspear.” In The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones. (Fantasy Flight Publishing 2014) ), [ Accessed on 24 September 2022]
