When HBO’s Game of Thrones went looking for the free city of Meereen, it didn’t build it on a soundstage. It found it already standing, 360 metres above the Adriatic, in the medieval fortress of Klis just outside Split. That decision — to use real Dalmatian locations instead of sets — helped shape the visual identity of one of the most-watched series in television
history.
Real places, not sets
The appeal of Dalmatia to a production of this scale came down to authenticity. The cellars of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, an authentic Roman substructure over 1,700 years old, became the vaults where Daenerys kept her dragons. The fortress of Klis stood in for the slaver city of Meereen. Further down the coast, the walls of Šibenik’s old town and the UNESCOprotected Cathedral of St. James doubled as Braavos. No set designer could have replicated the texture of centuries-old stone, the way Mediterranean light falls across weathered walls, or the natural scale of a fortress carved into living rock. For productions chasing realism, that texture is worth travelling for.
Compact geography, huge variety
One of Dalmatia’s greatest advantages is density. Within a short drive of Split, a production can access a Roman palace, a mountaintop fortress, medieval stone towns, turquoise islands and dramatic river canyons. That variety means fewer travel days, tighter schedules and lower logistics costs — all within a single county.
What productions can learn
The Game of Thrones experience offers a clear lesson: Dalmatia rewards productions that plan around its authenticity. Working with a local film office to secure permits, scout lesserknown locations and connect with experienced crews turns a complex international shoot into a manageable one. The region that convinced HBO can do the same for your project.
Looking for locations for your next film or series? The Split-Dalmatia Film Office can help you scout, secure permits and connect with local professionals. Get in touch.
