Historical Places Where Unforgettable TV Shows and Movies Were Filmed
Both in our country and in the world, there are many historical places that bear traces of the past and witnessed events that changed the course of history. In addition to reflecting the magnificence of the past, these places are also used in many TV shows and movie sets as they attract attention in the world of cinema and television. These places, which make you feel the spirit of the past, provide an unmatched atmosphere to the productions and create a strong visual effect. We have compiled the historical places in Türkiye and around the world where some scenes of unforgettable TV shows and movies were filmed just for you.
Magnificent and Fascinating: Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was originally known as a hunting lodge. Louis XIV initiated a major transformation to transform the lodge into a palace. Jules Hardoun-Mansart, one of the famous architects of the period, also played a role in this fascinating transformation. The palace managed to gain its current magnificence and provide a unique background for various productions.
If we take a look at world cinema, it is possible to say that the scenes that were shot in the Palace of Versailles, a historical French castle, have a fascinating effect on the audience. The palace, where many art films and TV Shows have been shot, is one of the rare historical locations that has hosted movies in world cinema.
The show is called Versailles, which tells the story of the construction of the palace and is among the productions where the Palace of Versailles was preferred for shooting. Although the show was generally shot in a studio setting, some scenes included various sections of the palace and its gardens.
Farewell, My Queen, released in 2012, was also shot in this historic location. The Palace of Versailles was also used as a background in some scenes in films such as The Death of Louis XIV, The Man in the Iron Mask and Marie Antoinette.
The Ottoman Trade Center: The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the distinguished places that has found a place for itself in both Turkish and world cinema. Some scenes from Jackie Chan’s 2001 movie called The Accidental Spy, the 2012 movie Argo starring Ben Affleck and the movie Skyfall starring famous actors such as Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Daniel Craig were shot in this historical bazaar. In addition, the robbery scene of the 1973 film Soyguncular directed by Türker İnanoğlu also takes place in the Grand Bazaar.
Traces of Different Civilizations: Hagia Sophia Mosque
In the movie Inferno, which is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code and was released in 2016, you can see that some scenes were shot in the Grand Bazaar and Beyazıt Square, as well as in the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which served as a museum until 2020. Although the filming of the movie starring Tom Hanks began in Florence, the shooting continued in Istanbul. In addition to the shootings in front of the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the movie also included footage from the documentary In the Depths of Hagia, shot by researcher Göksel Gülensoy.
A Structure That Witnessed History: Castillo Almodovar del Rio
Located in the city of Córdoba in Spain and built by the Andalusians in 760, Castillo Almodovar del Rio was featured in some scenes of Game of Thrones, one of the most-watched TV shows in the world. This magnificent castle, which is better known in the show, is also known as High Garden by viewers who are familiar with the Game of Thrones universe.
A Place Frequented by Famous Names: Pera Palace Hotel
Pera Palace Hotel, one of the favorites of directors and scriptwriters with its historical ambiance and atmosphere, has hosted many movies and TV shows in Turkish cinema and world cinema. Pera Palace Hotel has also become a symbol in Türkiye and internationally with its historical and cultural aspects.
One of the unforgettable movies that are shot at Pera Palace Hotel, which has been visited by many famous names, heads of state, writers, actors and directors throughout history, is the movie En Büyük Şaban, released in 1983. Directed by Kartal Tibet, Kemal Sunal, Kamran Usluer and Nilgün Bubikoğlu starred in the movie and the New Year’s Eve party scene was shot at Pera Palace Hotel.
In the movie Banker Bilo, starring Şener Şen and İlyas Salman, there is a memorable elevator scene. The elevator in the movie that tells the story of Bilo and Maho is currently located in the Pera Palace Hotel. It is also known as the first electric elevator in Türkiye.
Some scenes of the 2012 movie Taken II, the sequel to the film Taken, were also shot at the Pera Palace Hotel. The hotel scenes in the film, starring Liam Neeson, are usually scenes where the lead actor takes part.
Midnight at the Pera Palace, one of the most-watched TV shows on Netflix, is one of the rare shows that tells the history of our country in a striking way. In the show, which is shot at the Pera Palace Hotel, all the details of the location, from the wooden design decors to the Orient Bar, were considered. In addition, the show included fine details such as Markiz which is the favorite dessert of the hotel. The show also mentions Room 101, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed, and the detective fiction written by Agatha Christie at this hotel. We can also say that almost all episodes of the first season of the show Midnight at the Pera Palace were shot at the Pera Palace Hotel.
