Masonry in the Media: Plaza de Espana, Dunnotar Castle, and More

Words: Lily Burger
Photos: ALINA FOMENKO, alxpin, Frank Goma, cassinga, aluxum, Dougall_Photography, TomasSereda, travelism

The structures featured in films and tv can take us to new locations from the comfort of our own homes. From galaxies far far away to old Scottish castles, these four locations can take the viewers to new universes or transport them to the past.

Plaza de Espana - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
The Plaza de España in Seville was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, designed by architect Aníbal González. Blending Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles, it symbolizes Spain’s embrace of both modernity and tradition. Its semi-circular brick structure features elaborate masonry, including ornamented bridges, balustrades, and colonnades. The extensive use of brick and ceramics demonstrates 20th-century mastery of traditional Andalusian techniques, making the plaza a landmark of regional pride and a celebration of Spanish artisanal heritage.

The Plaza de España’s ornate masonry played a key role in its selection as the Theed palace on Naboo in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Its sweeping curved structure, elegant bridges, and richly tiled balustrades provided a regal and otherworldly aesthetic, blending old-world craftsmanship with futuristic grandeur. The masonry’s visual rhythm and symmetry enhanced the romantic and diplomatic scenes filmed there, making the plaza not just a backdrop, but a narrative device reflecting Naboo’s refined culture.

Real Alcazar - Game of Thrones
The Real Alcázar of Seville, originally a Moorish fort, began construction in the 10th century under the Umayyad Caliphate. It evolved through successive Islamic, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, and Baroque phases, especially flourishing after the Christian Reconquest in 1248. Notably, Pedro I of Castile expanded it in the 14th century with exquisite Mudejar architecture. The Alcázar showcases advanced masonry techniques, including intricate stucco work, patterned brickwork, and elaborate tile mosaics (azulejos). Its harmonious blend of Islamic and Christian styles reflects cultural fusion and technical mastery, making it one of Spain’s most important examples of enduring medieval and early modern craftsmanship.

The Real Alcázar’s intricate masonry—especially its Mudejar arches, tilework, and carved stucco—provided an authentic and visually stunning backdrop for Game of Thrones, where it portrayed the palace of Dorne in Sunspear. The craftsmanship evoked the exotic elegance and political intrigue central to House Martell’s storyline. Its fusion of Islamic and Christian styles mirrored the show's themes of cultural convergence and power dynamics. The detailed courtyards and richly ornamented halls enhanced the series’ immersive world-building, grounding fantasy in real architectural heritage. Thus, the Alcázar’s masonry was not just decorative but instrumental in conveying the show's historical depth and visual opulence.

Dunnotar Castle - Hamlet
Dunnottar Castle, perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking the North Sea in Scotland, has origins dating to the early Middle Ages, with the current ruins mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries. Built as a strategic fortress, its masonry reflects both defensive needs and evolving architectural styles. It implements pudding stone, a term used to describe a mixture of large rocks and pebbles held together in cement mix. They also used red sandstone, leading to differences in erosion on different sides of the castle. The rugged stone construction uses locally quarried stone, skillfully integrated into the cliffside, showcasing exceptional adaptation to natural topography. Thick curtain walls, vaulted chambers, and corbelled turrets highlight medieval Scottish masonry techniques.

Dunnottar Castle’s stark, weathered masonry was central to its role as Elsinore in Franco Zeffirelli’s Hamlet (1990), starring Mel Gibson. Its ancient stone walls, perched atop a windswept cliff, visually conveyed the bleak isolation and psychological weight of Shakespeare’s tragedy. The rough-hewn texture and austere structure of the masonry underscored the themes of decay, betrayal, and royal burden. Rather than constructing a set, the filmmakers relied on the castle’s authentic medieval stonework to evoke a sense of historical gravitas and emotional tension. Dunnottar’s rugged masonry wasn’t just atmospheric—it embodied the emotional landscape of Hamlet’s tormented world.

Belfry of the Bruges - In Bruges
The Belfry of Bruges, a medieval bell tower in Belgium, began construction in 1240 and was rebuilt after fires in 1280 and again in the 15th century, giving it its current Gothic appearance. Originally part of a market hall, it served as a watchtower and housed municipal archives and bells. Its masonry features robust sandstone and brickwork, showcasing Flemish Gothic craftsmanship with pointed arches, narrow windows, and decorative spires. The tower's verticality and stone precision reflect civic pride and medieval urban power. The intricate stonework also enabled effective acoustics for its carillon, making it both a functional and symbolic structure.

In In Bruges (2008), the Belfry's imposing Gothic masonry plays a symbolic and narrative role, reinforcing the film’s themes of judgment, fate, and moral reckoning. Its towering brick and sandstone façade, with sharp spires and medieval detailing, looms over the city—both physically and metaphorically. The weathered stone and narrow staircases evoke a sense of history and inevitability, mirroring the characters’ psychological descent. The final confrontation atop the Belfry utilizes its architectural height and confinement to heighten suspense and tragedy. Far from just a backdrop, the Belfry’s masonry becomes a silent witness to the film’s existential drama and ultimate fall from grace.

Masonry in the Media: Plaza de Espana, Dunnotar Castle, and More

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