The Witcher Filming Locations
In a search for a new ride through the world of fantasy, many of us instantly fell for The Witcher. Based on the books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the new Netflix series is full of mutants, elves, witches and other Tolkienesque features. But the legend of Geralt of Rivia is not new, as many discovered it through the successful video game developed years ago.
Now that the second season is here, how about a tour of the filming locations that embodied this medieval world? Find inspiration and start planning your new journey!
Filming locations in Season 1
The filming of The Witcher Season 1 started back in 2019, right before the world literally stopped. Therefore, The Witcher Season 1 was filmed under “old normal” terms. Various locations were used as a filming set, so here is the list of The Witcher filming locations from season 1.
Rabsztyn, Poland
Since the birthplace of the story is Poland, no wonder directors used it as a filming set. More precisely, Ogrodzieniec Castle depicted a location for the Battle of Sodden, shown in the season finale. The castle is located in Rabsztyn, a small village about 60 km from Krakow. The castle was originally built between the 14th and 15th century on the Castle Mountain in the Polish Jurassic Highland. Of course, what is a medieval castle without a legend? The legend has it that the castle is haunted by the “Black Dog of Ogrodzieniec”. The apparition is actually a ghost of Stanisław Warszycki, the Castellan of Krakow. The castle ruins are open for visitors.
Budapest, Hungary
The directors used the capital city of Hungary as a primary location for all the interiors in the series. That is also where the main filming studio was located. The most recognizable landmark in the series is Vajdahunyad Castle. It is the replica of the castle in Transylvania, located in the City Park of Budapest. The directors used a castle as a wizard Stregobor’s courtyard of the house. The castle is unique as it combines several different architectural styles. It appears as Gothic structure from one side and as a Renaissance one from the other. However, Vajdahunyad Castle is a ‘must-see’ if visiting Budapest as it is located near the city centre. Soak up the atmosphere and recall the tales of Dracula. Several other sights in Budapest and nearby areas were used including Kiscelli Museum, Szentendre Skanzen Village Museum, Replica Castle of Eger, Tata Castle and the forest of Gyarmatpuszta.
[display-post id=”14882″]
The Canary Islands, Spain
One of the main filming locations was also the Canary Islands where the directors used various landscapes. The main site Aretuza, the magic academy is also located here. Sadly, the fortress itself doesn’t actually exist in the real world, but only as a CGI. The main location was La Palma where the crew filmed most of the scenes. Among the sites used are Los Tilos waterfall, peaks of the Roque de Los Muchachos and cultural park La Zarza. Other scenes were taken on Gran Canaria and La Gomera. The Canary Islands was already on the big screen in Moby Dick, Operation Ganymed, The Haunting and many more.
Leobendorf, Austria
The scene in which Geralt of Rivia fights Striga was taken in Kreuzenstein Castle located in Leobendorf, about 25 km north of Vienna. Certain parts of the castle still date back to the 12th century, but it was actually rebuilt in the 19th century. There are several tours per day that will introduce you with the weapon collection. In case you get hungry, Burgtaverne Kreuzenstein offers dishes with recipes dating back to the Middle Ages that will contribute to the overall medieval atmosphere. Visiting Kreuzenstein Castle can be an ideal option for a day trip from Vienna.
Filming locations in Season 2
The filming of The Witcher Season 2 started during the most challenging period for the film industry. The corona pandemic literally stopped the world and the traveling industry was brought to its knees.
Despite the challenges, The Witcher filming crew decided not to give up on making another sensational season which was eagerly awaited.
Due to COVID-19, The Witcher Season 2 was filmed entirely in the UK. Also, most of the scenes were filmed in Arborfield Studios, south of Reading, about 40 miles from London. However, there are some interesting locations that you may not know about, so here is a list of The Witcher filming locations in season 2.
North Yorkshire
Yorkshire already established itself as a popular filming location in the UK. This time, North Yorkshire served as an inspiring area for the outside locations. One of them is Fountains Abbey which served for a few scenes throughout the filming period. The locations perfectly contributed to the medieval setting. The other significant place was Gordale Scar, a limestone ravine with waterfalls and cliffs close to Malham.
Lake District National Park
The area of Lake District National Park was used to shoot several scenes as well. One of the interesting locations is Hodge Close Quarry, a massive excavation of colored slate. Although many find the place attractive for diving, it is not recommended as it can be very dangerous.
For continental locations was used Blea Tarn, a small lake in Little Langdale. The tarn was shaped by glacial ice moving and the Langdale Pikes can be seen across the tarn. All in all, the area served perfectly for the fantasy landscape.
Bourne Wood, Chichester
The impressive Bourne Wood near Farnham is a popular filming location in the UK since 1999, so no wonder The Witcher crew used it for its purposes. Besides the endless forest and the relaxed atmosphere, there are various events held in this area.
Nearby Bourne Wood is one more picturesque location. Namely, Frensham Great Pond is a popular place for outdoor activities and relaxation. Especially as it is known for the often nice weather.
