'Game of Thrones' coming to Catalonia: Season 6 to be partly shot in Girona

Barcelona (ACN).- American television network HBO has confirmed that season six of the popular television series 'Game of Thrones' will be partly shot in the historic city of Girona, located in north-eastern Catalonia. With its enchanting medieval city walls, its old Jewish Quarter, a vast network of churches and monasteries, and four rivers crossing the city, Girona will host the worldwide hit show for at least three weeks in September. Filming will involve the city's Old Quarter (Barri Vell, in Catalan), where Girona's highlights are concentrated and two thousand years of history are on display. Although rumours have been around for some time, the official confirmation arrived only on Wednesday from Spanish television channel Canal +. Indeed, the agreement between HBO and Girona's City Council was signed four months ago but negotiations have been carried out with discretion. A portion of season six will also be shot in Peníscola, a Mediterranean seaside resort in the Valencian Country (also called Valencian Community).

The statement issued on Wednesday by Canal + - which has the rights to broadcast the TV series in Spain - confirmed that Girona will host the crew of 'Game of Thrones' in September, which will be shot at 'various natural locations'. However, specific details concerning which city spots will be used are to be disclosed later, closer to the time of production. Rumours have been pointing out towards the cathedral and the Jewish Quarter as possible sets for the show. Meanwhile, the series' crew has already travelled several times to Girona and booked rooms at several hotels. According to local newspaper 'Diari de Girona', 160 hotel reservations have already been made in order to accommodate cast and crew.

"An opportunity to provide the city with an international dimension", the Mayor said

According to Girona's Mayor, Carles Puigdemont, "it is a great opportunity to provide the city with an international dimension as 'Game of Thrones' has been a media phenomenon since its debut in 2011, and is followed by millions of people around the world".

"Girona is popular", he added. "The fact that English and American producers chose our city to partially shoot the new season of one of the most successful series around the world further corroborates this reality', Puigdemont concluded.

The Catalan city's historic center was previously used as a location for filming some other movies, such as the internationally distributed fantasy thriller 'Perfume: The Story of a Murderer' (2006), based on Patrick Süskind's bestseller and starring Ben Whishaw.

Not HBO's first time in Spain: Seville, Osuna's castle and Córdoba hosted the hit show

This September's Girona filming session will not be HBO'S first time in Spain as last year some scenes of 'Game of Thrones', for season five, were shot in various cities in Andalusia. In particular, the American show's crew spent 12 days filming in Seville's Real Alcázar palace to recreate the 'Kingdom of Dorne' in the series (an exotic land with a warm climate and an architectural style reminiscent of Arabian building design) and 13 days in Osuna shooting a scene of about four minutes. Cordoba's Roman Bridge has also appeared in the show. Fans of the series followed the entire filming session each day.

'Game of Thrones ' is an American fantasy drama TV series based on 'A Song of Ice and Fire', a collection of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin. The series has been praised by critics and has won a Golden Globe and 14 Emmy Awards. 'Game of Thrones ' also became the most watched series on the Spanish subscription broadcasting company Canal +.

HBO will start filming season six of 'Game of Thrones' in Belfast in late July. For the scenes to be shot in Girona and Peníscola, Fresco Film Services will provide production services.