These six spectacular castles in Spain were an important source of inspiration or film décor. Each and every one of them magical places, which one is the most famous?
Castles are magical places. They are home to kings, queens, princes, and princesses who have made history. But they also provide the perfect backdrop for famous series and film productions.
There are destinations with a huge influx of tourists that, before becoming the setting of a series or movie, were completely unknown. For example, Almeria, which became popular after being the setting for iconic Spaghetti Westerns. But also the Ministry of Public Works in Nuevos Ministerios in Madrid has become a famous landmark. This was after it became the Bank of Spain in the series Casa de Papel.
The Spanish castles below have been used in various productions. Most of them have played an essential role in the international series Game of Thrones.
The Alcázar of Segovia
This fortress was built between 1440 and 1465 and is one of the finest examples of Spanish Gothic civil architecture. It was the seat of the court of the Castilian and Leonese courts. It is one of the most visited castles in Spain. Furthermore, it is also said to have inspired Walt Disney for its fairytale castles. Highlights include the throne room with its magnificent ceiling, the King’s Hall, the galley room and the special chapel.
The Castle of Almodóvar in Córdoba
The name alone is cinematic in itself. But this emblematic fortress that the Arabs built and called Al-mudawar has not been used in any production by the famous Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar to avoid confusion.
The current fame of this castle in Córdoba is due to Game of Thrones. In the seventh season of the series, the kingdom of House Tyrrel, Altojardín, was staged within the walls of this castle.
The castle of Loarre in Huesca
At an altitude of more than 1,000 metres, the castle of Loarre rises in Romanesque style. This fortress dates back to the 11th century, but its walls and towers are perfectly preserved.
It is considered the best-preserved Romanesque fortress in Europe. Moreover, it is undoubtedly one of the best castles to visit in Spain for many castle lovers.
You will recognise it in many scenes from different series and movies, such as;
- The Kingdom of Heaven, starring Orlando Bloom
- La noche oscura, by Carlos Saura
- Irati, for which the chapel of San Pedro in the fortress was converted into an 8th-century temple
A very interesting place to visit. It is recommended to buy tickets online, which will also allow you to visit the Church of San Esteban and the Collegiate Church of Bolea with a joint ticket.
The castles of Atienza and Zafra in Guadalajara
The castle of Atienza, named in El Cantar de Mío Cid, is located on a rock. It was a strategic place that was used as a border between Muslims and Christians, and later also in Castilian and Aragonese times. In 1971, this location was chosen as the setting for the film The Trojans, starring Katherine Hepburn. HBO also chose this spot to shoot the start of the final season of Game of Thrones. They placed one of the Iron Thrones here as part of a riddle game for fans of this popular series. To commemorate this curious fact, the Valyrian steel sword that once accompanied the Iron Throne was left in this castle. Because of this, Atienza became known all over the world.
But the fame of Game of Thrones had already reached the province of Guadalajara before, as the castle of Zafra was also part of the sixth season of the production. It appeared as the Tower of Joy. It is well worth it for its spectacular tower, which is part of a huge reddish rock and is surrounded by the impressive landscape of the Sierra de Calderos.
Santa Florentina Castle in Barcelona
This castle in Barcelona perfectly combines the medieval with the modernist. This could be the best definition for this structure that has enchanted the whole world because its architectural jewel has also been the setting for Game of Thrones. The castle’s impact on the series was so great that the number of visitors increased from 35 a year to around 450 the following year, and there are now many more.
Castle of Peñíscola in Castellón
What could be better than a historic castle on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sierra de Irta? This castle, which rules over the tourist town of Peñíscola (Castellón), is located on a small rocky peninsula, connected only by a small piece of land. It is surrounded by wide beaches to end a fairytale day with a view of the fortress of the Knights Templar and a beautiful sunset in the background. The castle has been the setting for films and series such as Calabuch, El Cid, Tramontana, El Ministerio del Tiempo and, of course, Game of Thrones.
