Iron Throne Dubrovnik

Even though the planetary popular television series Game of Thrones concluded in 2019, it does not stop to amaze people around the world. The most significant chair in the show is undoubtedly the Iron Throne. The object of desire for so many of the characters in this HBO show based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series, leading them to betrayal and murder just to be able to sit on it. In this article we will explore the significance and allure of the Throne itself, and reveal where it can be found in real life, outside of TV screens and books.

Iron Throne in Game of Thrones

The Iron Throne is located in the capital city of Westeros, King’s Landing, within the Red Keep. It’s worth reminding that, in the real world, the Red Keep is in fact Lovrijenac Fortress in Dubrovnik.

The Iron Throne is the seat of the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and represents the ultimate power in the realm. Besides the monarchs themselves, only their Hand could sit on the Iron Throne.

The Iron Throne is said to have been constructed by Aegon the Conqueror, the first Targaryen king to unite the Seven Kingdoms. It is made from the melted swords of Aegon’s defeated enemies, symbolizing the Targaryen’s dominance and the submission of those who opposed them. The throne itself is massive, with a jagged and uncomfortable design, meant to be a reminder of the power and danger wielded by the ruler who sits upon it.

Construction and dimensions of the Iron Throne

The visual representation of the Iron Throne in the TV series is iconic, featuring a towering structure with numerous swords forged together. It has a jagged and irregular appearance, emphasizing its intimidating nature and the uncomfortable experience of sitting on it.

While the TV show provides a vivid depiction of the Iron Throne, including its symbolic and aesthetic qualities, the specific measurements and dimensions remain unspecified. The focus is more on the throne’s symbolic significance and the power struggles associated with it rather than its precise physical attributes.

The throne was allegedly forged from the 1,000 swords that had been surrendered to Aegon in his conquest by the lords who had offered their fealty. These were subsequently melted down by the fiery breath of Aegon’s dragon, Balerion the Black Dread, then beaten and bent into a throne of imposing appearance, asymmetrical and surrounded by swords protruding from the ground, the steps being decorated with twisted steel. At some point during or prior to the reign of Aerys II Targaryen, many of the swords that made up the Iron Throne were removed and the throne was given a safer and more symmetrical design.

Marc Simonetti’s depiction of the Iron Throne

While the chair on HBO television series is impressive, George R.R. Marin has said that it still falls short of what the Iron Throne should look like. His imagined version of the throne looks like this. It is a painting by the author Marc Simonetti for Martin’s book “The World of Ice and Fire”, and, according to Martin, Simonetti has come closer in it to capturing the Iron Throne as he pictures it than any other artist.

This is how Martin comments on the HBO Throne on his blog:

It’s not the Iron Throne I see when I’m working on THE WINDS OF WINTER. It’s not the Iron Throne I want my readers to see. The way the throne is described in the books… HUGE, hulking, black and twisted, with the steep iron stairs in front, the high seat from which the king looks DOWN on everyone in the court… my throne is a hunched beast looming over the throne room, ugly and asymmetric…

The HBO throne is none of those things. It’s big, yes, but not nearly as big as the one described in the novels. And for good reason. We have a huge throne room set in Belfast, but not nearly huge enough to hold the Iron Throne as I painted it. For that we’d need something much bigger, more like the interior of St. Paul’s Cathedral or Westminster Abbey, and no set has that much room. The Book Version of the Iron Throne would not even fit through the doors of the Paint Hall.

Symbolism of the Iron Throne

The Iron Throne was intended to be a symbol of power by its creator, Aegon the Conqueror. Aegon forged the throne using the blades of his enemies, so it not only symbolized his power (and the power of those who succeeded him), but also the seven kingdoms becoming one with the help of Belarion the Black Dread.

In the series, the Iron Throne symbolizes power, authority, and the rule over the Seven Kingdoms. Its uncomfortable design and the stories of the swords being melted together also symbolize the harsh and often brutal nature of the quest for power in Westeros.

Who sits on the Iron Throne?

Throughout the Game of Thrones series, various characters occupy the Iron Throne or claim the title of ruler of the Seven Kingdoms:

• Robert Baratheon: The series begins with Robert Baratheon as the reigning king. His rebellion against the Targaryens led to the overthrow of the Mad King Aerys II.
• Joffrey Baratheon: After Robert’s death, Joffrey, his alleged son, assumes the throne. However, it’s later revealed that he is the product of an incestuous relationship between Cersei Lannister and Jaime Lannister.
• Tommen Baratheon: Following Joffrey’s death, Tommen, Joffrey’s younger brother, becomes king. His rule is heavily influenced by the High Sparrow and the Faith Militant.
• Cersei Lannister: After a series of political maneuvers and the destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor, Cersei takes the throne as the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
• Daenerys Targaryen: In her quest to reclaim the Iron Throne, Daenerys, the last surviving Targaryen, comes to Westeros with her dragons and armies, aiming to rule.
• Jon Snow: Although Jon Snow never officially claims the Iron Throne, he becomes a significant figure in the fight against the Night King. He is later revealed to be Aegon Targaryen, a legitimate Targaryen with a claim to the throne.
• Bran Stark: In the series finale, the lords and ladies of Westeros choose Bran Stark, also known as Bran the Broken, to be the new king.

The first five on the list actually get to physically sit on the Iron Throne. In final season of the series, after setting fire to most of King’s Landing and its people and after years of seeking to claim the Iron Throne, Daenerys finally enters the throne room and touches it, but never gets to sit on it. Jon Snow, feeling the need to protect the realm, kills Daenerys. As a result, the lords and ladies of Westeros convene to decide on a new ruler. They choose Bran Stark, who becomes King Bran the Broken. However, instead of sitting on the Iron Throne, Bran chooses to rule from a different chair, symbolizing a break from the past.

Why did Drogon melt the Iron Throne?

After Jon Snow kills Daenerys, her last surviving dragon, Drogon, appears and melts the Iron Throne with his fiery breath. The exact reason for Drogon’s action is left open to interpretation, but it’s widely believed that Drogon’s intelligence and emotional connection to Daenerys led him to understand that the pursuit of the Iron Throne was the root cause of her downfall. By melting the throne, Drogon may be symbolizing the end of the destructive quest for power that has plagued Westeros for so long.

Where is the Iron Throne in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik served as the primary filming location for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, and it’s where the iconic Iron Throne scenes were filmed. Specifically, the throne was situated in the Red Keep courtyard, which is part of the Lovrijenac Fortress. Lovrijenac Fortress, also known as St. Lawrence Fortress, is a historic structure located just outside the city walls of Dubrovnik.

Is it possible to sit on the Iron Throne in Dubrovnik?

It is possible to sit on the Iron Throne in Dubrovnik. Tourists can pay a fee to have their picture taken while sitting on the throne replicas in a number of fan shops in Dubrovnik. But every true fan wants to sit on the original Iron Throne used in the series. And this particular chair is available on the island of Lokrum.

Lokrum – island off Dubrovnik with the Iron Throne

Lokrum is a small but beautiful island near Dubrovnik. It served as a filming location for scenes set in the trading city of Qarth in Game of Thrones, specifically the scene where Daenerys is in the gardens of Qarth, which are actually the gardens of the old Benedictine monastery from the 12th century.

A special treat for fans is the Visitor Center inside the monastery, featuring an exhibition dedicated to Game of Thrones. The Visitor Center is the place where you can find the original Iron Throne, a seat used in the actual series that HBO gifted to Dubrovnik.

Visitors are allowed to freely sit on the Iron Throne and take pictures without any fees.

During the tourist season ferries from the Old Town to Lokrum island depart approximately every 30 minutes, and the round-trip ticket to the island is 27 euros (5 euros for children aged 5 to 18). The ferries do not operate during most of the winter, however they start operating from the beginning of February, and leave for Lokrum every full hour, from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Game of Thrones fan shops in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has a number of shops that cater to Game of Thrones fans, offering various merchandise and memorabilia related to the show. These shops typically sell items such as T-shirts, mugs, posters, and other souvenirs featuring Game of Thrones themes. While there may not be a specific official Game of Thrones fan shop, many local stores capitalize on the show’s popularity to cater to fans visiting the city. Some of the most popular include the following:

• Dubrovnik City Shop
  Address: Boškovićeva street 7, (kod Buže), Old City Dubrovnik
  The shop is situated on one of the many narrow stairways in Old Town Dubrovnik, with statue of Peter Dinklage outside. There is also a plastic replica of the Iron Throne inside the shop. You can have your photo on this famous chair taken for a fee.
• House of the Game
  Address: Od Puča 12, Old City Dubrovnik
  In addition to being a gift shop, it is also a play room. Here you can take a photo on the Iron Throne replica or on a dragon, and experience series roleplaying.

Come to Dubrovnik and sit on the Iron Throne

Dubrovnik still remains a King’s Landing in hearts of many. All of the numerous locations used for filming Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik can be further explored here. Whether you’re a fervent fan or a curious traveler, the echoes of dragons, knights, and kings still resonate within the city’s stone walls.

So, come to Dubrovnik, where the fantasy of King’s Landing meets the reality of a breathtaking coastal gem. Special treat is sitting on an actual Iron Throne used in the HBO series, and enjoying the scenic beauty of island Lokrum on the way.

Get in touch:

Explore Our Tours: