San Juan de Gaztelugatxe was one of the most important scenes of Games of Thrones. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe gave life to Rocadragon (dragonstone), the fortress of the Targaryen house. After analyzing the number of people who visited San Juan de Gaztelugatxe before and after the series, we can categorically state that Game of Thrones catapulted the fame of this idyllic place.
Choice of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for Game of Thrones.
The choice of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe as the setting for Game of Thrones was not accidental. The producers of the series were looking for a place with very specific characteristics. A unique corner of the world, which thanks to its impressive geography, rustic appearance and mysticism made it a perfect choice to represent the legendary home of House Targaryen.
The transformation at Rocadragon.
To transform San Juan de Gaztelugatxe into Rocadragon, the production team made several changes. Although we tried to respect its natural essence as much as possible, different computer-generated image techniques were necessary to add elements such as the gigantic fortress and the dragons. Iconic elements of House Targaryen. These visual effects blended perfectly with the beauty of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, creating a convincing and spectacular Dragon Rocks.
Impact of Game of Thrones in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
After its appearance in Game of Thrones, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe experienced an exponential increase in tourism. Fans from all over the world traveled to the Basque coast to walk the winding staircases that Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, among others, have walked. This increase in visits had an economic impact on the province of Bizkaia but also created a new problem, the need to establish a capacity control system to prevent the thousands of people visiting San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from destroying it completely.
Excursions to see the scenes of Game of Thrones in the Basque Country.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe was not the only corner of Euskadi that chose the famous American production, other areas such as Barrika and Zumaia also played a leading role. If you are interested in the theme of Game of Thrones and would like to visit the different scenarios of the series in the Basque Country, we inform you that we offer private tours throughout the year. Do not hesitate to contact us for a quotation. We are waiting for you!