Game of Thrones was filmed across six countries in Europe and North Africa, however nowhere features more Game of Thrones filming locations than Northern Ireland. The series was shot on location across several counties, as well as at the Titanic Studios in Belfast, which served as the show’s primary production base.
Northern Ireland offers a wide range of Game of Thrones experiences, from visiting the iconic filming locations to exploring the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Glass of Thrones is a must-do for fans visiting Belfast.
The trail is easily combined with your regular sightseeing around the city, and best of all, it’s completely free.
What is Glass of Thrones?
Glass of Thrones is a series of six Game of Thrones themed stained glass windows. Each window has a different theme and celebrates the most iconic characters and moments from the show.
The windows were unveiled in 2019 alongside the release of the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones.
The windows are located at different locations along the Belfast waterfront forming the Glass of Thrones trail.
How Long is the Glass of Thrones Trail?
The Glass of Thrones trail takes around 35-minutes to walk from the first window at the AC hotel to the last window at the HMS Caroline, not taking into consideration time spent looking at the windows.
One of the best things about the Glass of Thrones trail is that it can easily be incorporated into your regular Belfast sightseeing itinerary.
You can admire the windows in between visits to the Titanic Museum, SS Nomadic and HMS Caroline.
You will also be able to see some of Belfast’s most iconic landmarks along the way, including the Samson & Goliath cranes and Salmon of Knowledge sculpture.
Glass of Thrones Locations
- House Stark – AC Hotel
- House Baratheon – Lagan Weir
- House Targaryen – Odyssey Point
- White Walkers – SS Nomadic
- The Iron Throne – Titanic Slipways
- House Lannister – HMS Caroline
1. House Stark
The first stained glass window sits outside the AC Hotel and is dedicated to House Stark, Winterfell and the North.
At the centre of the window is Jon Snow wielding Longclaw during Battle of the Bastards. Surrounding him are other members of the Stark family: Sansa with a captured Tyrion Lannister, Arya ready to defeat Littlefinger, Bran wrapped in furs, Robb and Catelyn at the Red Wedding, and Ned being executed by Ser Ilyn Payne. You can also see the fight between Brienne of Tarth, and the Hound.
Scattered throughout the glass are references to the Starks and the North including: direwolves, weeping weirwood trees, Winterfell itself, the three-eyed raven, the Stark sigil and the flayed man of House Bolton.
2. House Baratheon
The second window is located across the Lagan Weir pedestrian bridge heading toward the SSE arena, and is dedicated to all things Baratheon.
The window is dominated by a giant Melisandre, the Red Priestess who turned Stannis Baratheon away from the Faith of the Seven and towards the Lord of Light. At the centre of the window, you can see the shadow she birthed killing the youngest Baratheon brother, Renly.
All the other notable Baratheons are also depicted. These include King Robert on his deathbed, Tommen falling from a window, Stannis being killed by Brienne of Tarth, Gendry killing a soldier with his war hammer, and Joffrey lying dead after being poisoned at the Purple Wedding.
The smuggler-turned-knight Ser Davos Seaworth can be seen rowing his boat close to the image of Stannis, while Beric Dondarrion appears in the top right corner, wielding his flaming sword alongside the Brotherhood Without Banners.
There are numerous Baratheon references dotted throughout the window, including he stag-antler crown, a Hand of the King pin, and Stannis’s sigil – the burning heart stag.
In the bottom right corner, a stag is shown being pierced by an arrow affixed with a rose – the sigil of House Tyrell.
3. House Targaryen
The third window is located a short walk away outside the SSE arena and is dedicated to House Targaryen and dragons.
The top of the window is dominated by Daenerys Targaryen riding a fire-breathing Drogon. On either side of the flames are key moments from her story throughout the series.
On the left-hand side, the Great Pyramid of Meereen is shown, along with Grey Worm and Ser Barristan Selmy fighting the Sons of the Harpy. Further below, Viserys can be seen receiving his molten “crown”, as well as the three dragon eggs Daenerys was gifted during her wedding to Khal Drogo.
On the right-hand side, the dragons are shown destroying ships, alongside Daenerys emerging unburnt from the flames with her newly hatched dragons. Further down, she appears once again riding Drogon, this time flying above the fighting pits of Meereen.
At the very bottom of the window are the crossbows designed to kill dragons.
4. White Walkers
The next window is located in front of the SS Nomadic. This window is slightly different, as it doesn’t represent one house in particular but instead depicts the threat beyond the Wall – the White Walkers.
For eight seasons, the families of Westeros fought one another, largely unaware that a far greater danger was at play.
At the centre of the window is the heartbreaking “hold the door” scence, in which Hodor sacrifices himseld to the wights, allowing Bran and Meera Reed to escape.
Other features throughout the window include the Night King riding a resurrected Viserion as he melts the Wall with dragon fire, as well as the Night King standing alongside his army of wights. You can also see Craster’s abandoned baby son being transformed into a White Walker, Beric Dondarrion wielding his flaming sword with the Brotherhood Without Banners, and the Children of the Forest creating the very first White Walkers.
Scattered throughout the glass are numerous wights and their one true weakness – dragonglass.
5. The Iron Throne
The next window is located on the Titanic Slipways, at the rear of the Titanic Museum.
The penultimate window of the Glass of Thrones trail showcases the Iron Throne – the seat of power in the Seven Kingdoms and the cause of endless bloodshed throughout the series.
As Cersei famously said in Season 1, “when you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die”.
Towering above the throne is the symbol of the Faith of the Seven, the dominant religion of Westeros. Surrounding it are the sigils of several major houses, including the Lannister lion, Stark direwolf, Targaryen three-headed dragon, and Stannis Baratheon’s burning heart stag.
Above the throne is the symbol of the Faith of the Seven, the religion followed by the majority of Westeros. As well as numerous house sigils including the Lannister lion, Stark direwolf, Targaryen three-headed dragon, and Stannis’ burning heart stag.
In the background, you can see the interlocking cogs and maps featured in the opening credits of Game of Thrones.
6. House Lannister
The final window of the Glass of Thrones trail is located near HMS Caroline.
During the walk to this window, you’ll pass Titanic Studios where much of Game of Thrones was filmed.
The final window is dedicated to House Lannister featuring some of the family’s most brutal and regrettable moments.
At the top of the window, the Great Sept of Baelor is shown being destroyed by wildfire, killing everyone inside – including Queen Margaery Tyrell.
At the centre of the window stands Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, carrying a shamed Cersei Lannister following her iconic walk of atonement. On either side, Brienne of Tarth can be seen battling a bear, while Tyrion holds a crossbow alongside two of his victims: his former lover Shae and his father, Tywin.
Along the bottom of the window, Jaime rides into battle, while the mountain crushes the skull of the unfortunate Oberyn Martell.
Numerous Lannister references are scattered throughout the glass, including Jaime’s golden hand, the stone eyes place over one of their earliest victims, Jon Arryn, the Lannister lion emblazoned on a shield, and the Red Keep in King’s Landing.
In the bottom right corner, coins spill across the glass – a nod to the Lannisters’ immense wealth and their unofficial motto: ” A Lannister always pays his debts“.
Final Thoughts on Glass of Thrones
The Glass of Thrones trail is a unique experience along the Belfast waterfront, and is a must-do for any Game of Thrones fans visiting the city.
Asides from being free, the best part of the Glass of Thrones trail is that it can be incorporated into your regular Belfast sightseeing itinerary. You can admire the windows in between visits to some of the city’s top attractions including the Titanic Museum and HMS Caroline.
The Glass of Thrones is the cherry on top of any Game of Thrones inspired trip to Northern Ireland.