ripped from a variety of sources this past week:
There are two things any fan of ?Game of Thrones? expects every season: death ? lots of it ? and new characters.
The show is pretty well-known for killing off major characters and throwing bodies in the overfilled graveyards of Westeros. But every death allows for more characters to get introduced into the show. And guess what comes with new characters? That?s right: new kingdoms.
We?re heading to Dorne, you guys!
If, like us, you've been wondering about the Red Viper's vaguely Spanish pedigree, you may finally be getting an answer.
A medieval castle in southern Spain will serve as the newest backdrop in the next season of "Game of Thrones."
The staff of the Alcazar of Seville confirmed that the castle has been chosen as a filming site for the series, with shooting slated to begin in October.
Although Alcazar staff didn't confirm the specific fictional landscape the castle will portray, various Internet reports speculate the castle will stand in for the Water Gardens of Dorne, the summer residence of House Martell.
Spain is filled with Moorish castles like Seville?s spectacular Alcazar and buildings like Osuna University with its castle-like spires, which the HR speculates would make it the perfect setting for the Kingdom of Dorne ? home of Prince Oberyn, the ill-fated Dornish royal who met a grisly end in Season 4.
But his elder brother, Prince Doran, should be holding court, and hopefully plotting devastating revenge for his brother's explosive (in a manner of speaking) death in season four of the hugely popular fantasy series that pivots on blood feuds between rival kingdoms.
The biggest champion of the series' latest destination has been U.S. Ambassador to Spain James Costos, a former vice president at HBO, who announced the news Tuesday.
No doubt Spain is excited to receive the flood of "Game of Thrones" tourism that shooting locations in Croatia and Northern Ireland have experienced, although the Seville castle is already a popular destination in its own right.
Built in 712 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Alcazar of Seville was originally built as a fortress and became a royal residence in 1248.
It still serves as a royal palace today, and is renowned for its Arabic influences and Mudejar art.
"We've been working with them to organize everything and are really glad with their final decision," an Alcazar representative tells CNN. "We have broad experience in (filming) -- 'Lawrence of Arabia,' 'The Kingdom of Heaven' -- so we're sure it'll be a success for both parties."
In addition to the castle, more "Game of Thrones" filming destinations in Spain -- most likely to do with story lines involving House Martell -- are expected to be announced.
According to reports, the search for locations in Spain began in March, the show has already booked a hundred hotel rooms in Seville for filming this year.
For casting preparations, Fresco Film Productions has put out a call on Facebook for extras for GoT.
According to
El Mundo, who spoke with Rosario And?jar, the mayor of Osuna, production members have visited several sites that may serve as filming locations. These unconfirmed sites include:
The Plaza de Toros. Over a hundred years old, the bull ring walls are made of sandstone.
The University. Built in 1548 with four towers and influences from the Italian Renaissance, much of the University has been converted to modern classrooms, but parts of it retain the original design, including the the chapel, the Sala de la Girona, and the courtyard.
La Colegiata. Located by the university, this church was founded in 1535.
The Canteras de Osuna. The old quarries that supplied the stones for the town?s structures were visited as well.
