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King's Landing was rapidly constructed within the first century of rule by the Targaryen dynasty. This rapid expansion didn't keep pace with organized "city-planning", resulting in numerous slums forming such as the district known as Flea Bottom. Many of these slum districts are poorly organized, ugly, and filthy because their placement wasn't thought out during the rush to slap down new buildings. In contrast, the second largest city in Westeros, [[Oldtown]] in [[the Reach]], is thousands of years old, but grew only in incremental steps which were well planned out beforehand, resulting in it being a much better organized and beautiful city without the squalid slums of King's Landing, while being only slightly smaller than the capital itself. |
King's Landing was rapidly constructed within the first century of rule by the Targaryen dynasty. This rapid expansion didn't keep pace with organized "city-planning", resulting in numerous slums forming such as the district known as Flea Bottom. Many of these slum districts are poorly organized, ugly, and filthy because their placement wasn't thought out during the rush to slap down new buildings. In contrast, the second largest city in Westeros, [[Oldtown]] in [[the Reach]], is thousands of years old, but grew only in incremental steps which were well planned out beforehand, resulting in it being a much better organized and beautiful city without the squalid slums of King's Landing, while being only slightly smaller than the capital itself. |
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| − | In the TV series, King's Landing is presented as having a warm, mediterranean to sub-tropical climate, and outdoor scenes set in King's Landing are filmed in mediterranean locations such as Malta and Croatia. Author [[George R.R. Martin]] has noted this this isn't quite the same as in the books, where it has more of a temperate climate, saying: "King's Landing, that's the capital, is not quite so tropical |
+ | In the TV series, King's Landing is presented as having a warm, mediterranean to sub-tropical climate, and outdoor scenes set in King's Landing are filmed in mediterranean locations such as Malta and Croatia. Author [[George R.R. Martin]] has noted this this isn't quite the same as in the books, where it has more of a temperate climate, saying: "King's Landing, that's the capital, is not quite so tropical - in the books it's more like medieval Paris or London."<ref>[http://www.denverpost.com/television/ci_20754634/game-thrones-author-george-r-r-martin-sex GRRM interview with The Denver Post]]</ref> |
==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 23:28, 27 August 2012
Map showing the location of King's Landing on the continent of Westeros.
King's Landing is the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. It is located on the east coast of Westeros, overlooking Blackwater Bay. It is the site of the Iron Throne and the Red Keep, the seat of the King. The walled city is located on uplands just north of where the Blackwater Rush flows into Blackwater Bay. It enjoys a warm climate and life there is luxurious for those that can afford it. The city is overpopulated and dangerous at the best of times despite being policed by a City Watch.[1]
King's Landing was founded by King Aegon I Targaryen. He established a small wooden fort atop the hill - which was later named after him - where his ships first landed from Dragonstone, and used this as a base for his campaign to conquer the continent. Having achieved his goal, he established the new capital on the site of his original fort. The city expanded rapidly under his descendants.[1]
King's Landing has suffered occasional attacks during its existence, most notably during the civil war known as Robert's Rebellion, when Lord Tywin Lannister betrayed King Aerys II Targaryen and ordered his army to brutally sack the city before turning it over to Robert Baratheon as a sign of fealty.
Notable residents of the city
- Commander Janos Slynt, head of the City Watch, and newly made Lord of Harrenhal.
- Syrio Forel, the former First Sword of Braavos, who now teaches fencing.
- Ros, Armeca and Mhaegen, prostitutes.
- Tobho Mott, a master armorer and blacksmith.
- Gendry, Tobho Mott's apprentice. Left to join the Night's Watch.
- {Lommy Greenhands}, an apprentice dyer. Left to join the Night's Watch.
- Hot Pie, an apprentice baker. Left to join the Night's Watch.
Behind the scenes
Production Designer Gemma Jackson described the conception of the overall look for King's Landing by saying that, "When I was thinking about King's Landing, the whole red aspect of it, that immediately made me think of Rajasthan", which is the northwest region of India.[2]
The exterior shots of King' Landing in Season 1 were filmed in Malta. In Season 2, new filming locations for King's Landing were found in Croatia, specifically in the seaside castle-town of Dubrovnik.
In the books
King's Landing is the largest city in Westeros, with a population of roughly half a million. It is built around three tall hills: Visenya's Hill, Rhaenys's Hill and Aegon's Hill. The Red Keep is the primary fortress and redoubt of the city, located atop Aegon's Hill behind several inner walls.
King's Landing was rapidly constructed within the first century of rule by the Targaryen dynasty. This rapid expansion didn't keep pace with organized "city-planning", resulting in numerous slums forming such as the district known as Flea Bottom. Many of these slum districts are poorly organized, ugly, and filthy because their placement wasn't thought out during the rush to slap down new buildings. In contrast, the second largest city in Westeros, Oldtown in the Reach, is thousands of years old, but grew only in incremental steps which were well planned out beforehand, resulting in it being a much better organized and beautiful city without the squalid slums of King's Landing, while being only slightly smaller than the capital itself.
In the TV series, King's Landing is presented as having a warm, mediterranean to sub-tropical climate, and outdoor scenes set in King's Landing are filmed in mediterranean locations such as Malta and Croatia. Author George R.R. Martin has noted this this isn't quite the same as in the books, where it has more of a temperate climate, saying: "King's Landing, that's the capital, is not quite so tropical - in the books it's more like medieval Paris or London."[3]
See also
References
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