Girona Cathedral

Girona Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona, is the dominant landmark of Girona’s old town in Catalonia, Spain. The cathedral rises above the city at the top of a broad ceremonial staircase, with its huge façade, Gothic nave and elevated position making it one of the most dramatic architectural sights in Girona. The long steps leading up to the cathedral are especially recognisable and give the building a strong screen presence, making it easy to transform into a place of political, religious or ceremonial power.

Girona Cathedral is best known on screen from “Game of Thrones” (2011–2019), where it appears in season 6 as the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing. Girona was used for several parts of the series, including King’s Landing, Braavos and Oldtown, but the cathedral steps are among the most recognisable locations from the city. The site works especially well because the staircase and façade already feel monumental, allowing the production to turn a real Catalan cathedral into one of the most important religious buildings in Westeros.

In “Game of Thrones” (2011–2019), Girona Cathedral appears during the confrontation outside the Great Sept of Baelor. Jaime Lannister rides up the cathedral steps on horseback, accompanied by Tyrell soldiers, in an attempt to stop Margaery Tyrell’s walk of atonement. The High Sparrow stands on the steps before the crowd, using the cathedral façade as a symbol of the Faith’s power in King’s Landing. The real staircase gives the scene much of its visual force, with the wide steps, towering entrance and packed crowd creating a sense of ceremony, tension and public spectacle.

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