As promised, this is the second part of my Game of Thrones location visit, this time to the spectacular San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, on the coast of Spain.
San Juan de Gatzelugatxe is actually the name of the small hermitage located on the islet, a sanctuary dedicated to Saint John and dating back to the 10th century. The name of the islet, Gatzelugatxe, comes from the Basque language and translates roughly to mean ‘craggy fort,’ very appropriate.
The islet is joined to the mainland via a manmade walkway, which twists and turns up the rugged rock face to reach the monastery. There are two ways to reach the walkway – the first is a steep narrow trail, very rough underfoot, only wide enough for two people to pass. It starts at a restaurant perched high on the cliff, with excellent views over the small bay.
As we descended the kilometre or so to the walkway, the people coming uphill the other way looked completely wiped out, sweating and short of breath in the muggy weather. We found it easier going heading down, but our thighs still ached due to the steep and rocky nature of the path. It can be done in sandals (I did it), but I’d recommend runners and comfortable clothing.
As we descended we could hear the bell at the hermitage ringing. The tradition goes that if you ring the bell three times and make a wish, it will come true. Seeing the faces of the people coming uphill, I joked to hubby that perhaps they were wishing they didn’t have to make the climb back up again!
We reached the walkway quite quickly and paused, both to catch our breath and to take in the glorious views. The islet isn’t far along the coast from Zumaia and the spectacular rock formations of Itzurun Beach, so the landscape is quite similar.
With the mist looming low on the nearby hilltops, waves rushing, it wasn’t hard to feel transported to another time and place. The walkway and bridge have both been used in Game of Thrones as the entrance pathway to Dragonstone – it is on these stairs that Jon Snow ducks to the ground after seeing a dragon for the first time.
I saw no dragons, but it doesn’t mean the place is without magic. Aside from the beautiful scenery and wish-granting magic of the bell, there is also a statue of a saint sunk deep into the waters of the small bay. Tuna boats, before they head across the ocean to fish, all come here to circle the statue three times and ask for a blessing on their voyage and catch.
So, did I make a wish? Well, after the walk down, we decided that going all the way to the top wasn’t really for us. And, as we stood on the stairs, I wondered how on earth they’d got a film crew, equipment and actors in costume down the precipitous narrow path we’d just taken.
Then we noticed the road going back up. 😀
It made for an easier ascent, though it took a while. But much easier than we had thought. And I got to visit Dragonstone with my two favourite people. So perhaps my wish was granted, after all.
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Helen Glynn Jones 
It looks just as it does in GofT – lucky you 😀
And thanks for the warning – if I get to visit, the right type of shoes will definitely be worn!
Reblogged this on Suzie Speaks and commented:
Game of Thrones fans: here’s one for you! Please don’t like or comment on my reblog – hop on over to Journey to Ambeth and say hi!
Thanks for sharing, Suzie! 🙂
Always welcome lovely!
Oh so stunning Helen, what a wonderful place to visit. 🙂
It was gorgeous, another one of those magical places 🙂
These are spectacular! What a visit. ❤ I feel like I'm inside the photos. Love the stairs (as a view, not necessarily climbing them) and I think 'craggy fort' is definitely appropriate. Very cool!
It was such a beautiful place – I don’t know that my photos did it justice, really. One of those magical places the earth has to offer 🙂
It looks amazing – loved the pics from both parts! Did you see any cosplay people there? I saw a few pics on a article where people had dressed up as the characters and visited the filming locations…
There was one girl on Itzurn beach in a long black dress, who had long silver grey hair, and I think she was definitely channelling a Targaryen. Otherwise everyone was in swimsuits! And didn’t see anyone dressed up at San Juan de Gatzelugatxe – however, give it time…
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Hi Helen, lovely post……it was great to see such wonderful a place and original locations of GOT……love your picture on the stairs…..quite amazing….
Thanks so much, Anindya – it was amazing to be there, that’s for sure! 🙂 An extraordinary place even without the GOT link – I could see why it appealed to the producers of the show.
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Well, I’ll be honest here, I haven’t watched Game of Thrones yet, coz I knew it’s amazing and watching it would mean getting addicted and for me, this was difficult, for then I either could have watched the series or attend to my daughter. So, I didn’t get in the way of addiction. And this is the major reason to read this post. I have seen the images, of course, but to read a post which talks about the locations in real, is something. You must be on cloud 9 when visiting these locations. I must say, the locations look just splendid and breathtaking. 🙂
P.S.- forgot to mention, loved your footwear on the steps (Not that you weren’t looking good, just that I have a weakness for footwear) 😉
Thank you! lol, they weren’t that sensible for the walk down there, but if you can’t wear winged sandals at Dragonstone, where can you wear them? 😀
It was pretty amazing to see it in real life and yes, it was breathtaking – such a beautiful place! I don’t have a lot of time for television either – Game of Thrones is one of the few series I watch, so it was a thrill to visit the locations. 🙂
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