See the Real Astapor: Daenerys’ Dragons and Magical Essaouira

It started long before Rick’s Place made Casablanca a movie legend. Morocco has an enviable reputation for magical movie and TV series locations. In fact, during my recent trip I visited at least three: Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and Essaouira. There were also a few abandoned sets in the midst of Saharan sands where Jewel of the Nile was shot.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones looms large in Essaouira and Ouarzazate. The main set locations of Game of Thrones in Essaouira are around the Ramparts and Sqala du Port, an artillery platform dating from the 18th century and one of the city’s main fortifications.

The old city of Essaouira which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, is a popular tourist destination. Famous for its selection of riads, the medina is known for its many artisan industries, especially inlaid cabinetwork made from fragrant Thuya wood. (and amazing boxes of said wood, which will be gifted) But, back to movies…

In “Game of Thrones,” Yunkai might be a fictional city ruled by an oligarchy of slave merchants, but the scenes had to be filmed in the real world.

The citadel of Ait-Ben-Haddou in Morocco near Ouarzazate (pronounced Wa-za-zat) was chosen as the location, and is one of the most popular film-making destinations in the region.

And scenes set in the ancient city of Astapor, which was a big part of the final episode of season three, was filmed in Essaouira — also in Morocco.

CNN Business

A Movie Mecca

Ten years before the creators of “Game of Thrones” discovered the splendors of Moroccan landscapes, director Ridley Scott chose North African cities to replicate ancient Rome’s glories for his film, “The Gladiator” starring Russell Crowe. As did the production team for “Prince of Persia” starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

Moroccans are also proud of the two years of on location production, again in Ouarzazate for “Jewel of the Nile”…the action adventure starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in the 1980’s and more recently “Babel” starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. To date, over 200 television shows have also taken advantage of both grand, sweeping vistas, a large resource of inexpensive technical talent and a government extremely welcoming to foreign filmmakers.

Altogether a remarkable place to visit, whether you’re a movie fan, or not! And there’s a more recent movie out starring Jessica Chastain and Ralph Fines called, “The Forgiven”, shot in Morocco which I’m going to rent tonight on Prime Video. Hubby’s watching football….I’ll let you know how it is….