'Ruined' village on slate hillside hints at brutal House of the Dragon scenes

Wales Online

2 days ago

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An iron ring has been thrown around a slate mine on the edge of Eryri for season three of HBO's House of the Dragon (HoTD). As set construction picks up pace, the whole of Dinorwig Quarry has been placed off limits with security guards posted around the massive complex.
Sneak pictures of the work undertaken so far suggests a ruined village is being built. A series of fire-damaged carts and boxes have been brought to the site along with piles of charred timber.
It's speculated the latter will be used to recreate buildings that were used in series two - showing the devastation wrought by a fire-breathing dragon.
It's widely assumed the quarry, near Llanberis, is again standing in as a HoTD backdrop as Harrenhal Castle, the largest fortification in the fictional country of Westeros.
included a military encampment and a modified slate incline where a dragon was shown perching.
Three other sites in the area are also rumoured to be filming locations for the Game of Thrones prequel series. Two are thought to be in the Nant Peris pass at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), with a third by Llyn Padarn, Llanberis.
As the rest of George RR Martin's 'Fire & Blood' storyline contains some spectacularly brutal battles, signs point to all-out war in HoTD season three. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up
A letter to local residents warned that scenes planned for Dinorwig include 'extras in armour, horses, special effects and various props'. A casting call has also been issued for 'rugged men' with 'good facial hair'.
(Image: John Horrigan)
The main quarry footpath was closed on Monday morning (June 2) and this will now stay shut until Monday, June 17. Security guards have been posted at both quarry entrances – from the Nant Peris side and from the Dinorwig Bus Terminus.
'But there are more all around the quarry to prevent unauthorised access,' said local resident John Horrigan, whose land borders the quarry. 'They are seriously enclosing the site and not just at the main entrances.
'The producers have been quite clever this time. For season two, they didn't close off the quarry completely until filming began, making it easier for some people to see the sets being built. This year they want to ensure no interruptions, so have closed off the quarry earlier.'
(Image: John Horrigan)
Before the quarry was declared completely off-limits, Mr Horrigan snuck inside to get an idea of what's been done so far. Set construction appears to be taking place at three locations within the quarry, including what he understands will be a 'destroyed village'.
'This is in the same place where they had the battle encampment in the last series, with buildings, tents and catapults. Already some props have been brought on site - and they're all burnt. Even though the props are made off-site, you get a strong burning smell as soon as you reach the area.
'Lots of burnt timber are also piled up on wooden pallets ready for set construction. This morning, two 18-tonne trucks and an articulated lorry brought in more crates, ready to be hoisted into position and unpacked by construction crews.
'It looks like they are recreating the village from the last series, only this time after it's been ruined and burnt to the ground by a dragon.'
(Image: Carwyn Vaughan)
Another set involves a tunnel leading to a separate pit that can't be viewed from elsewhere in the quarry. A new flight of steps has been built to an upper level, on which scaffolding is being erected.
'It's massive,' said Mr Horrigan. 'They've spend weeks building it, with erecting safety rails, steps and towers. I don't know if that's where some of the actors will be filmed, or whether it's they're putting cameras to film the canyon below, but a battle scene is predicted.'
Another set involves one of the site's former quarry mills: a huge wooden facade has been erected as if to mimic a medieval hall.
'It's amazing to think they're only filming for four days and yet have to spend a month building the sets,' said Mr Horrigan. 'It's definitely bigger than last time and the whole process is taking longer.'
'I came across four rocks that looked so real you wouldn't know they were fake even if you stood by them. I wonder how many people thought they were part of a new rockfall. Those in the know will point to the sandbags on top to stop them rolling away!'
(Image: John Horrigan)
In Nant Peris, beneath Yr Wyddfa, no sites have been formally identified yet. However the Union Rock area at the western end of Llyn Padarn has been closed off.
Last year the same area was used as a storage area when filming took place on Llyn Padarn for Netflix's The Witcher fantasy series. Could the lake again be used as a backdrop, this time for HoTD? In season two, multiple sites in Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy doubled for Westeros.
At Dinorwig, site preparation continues until Monday, June 9. Filming starts the following day and continues until Friday, June 13. During this four-day period, the road to the Allt Ddu bus terminus will be closed. Site reinstatement then takes place until Friday, June 20.
Another filming day is set for Thursday, June 26. This will also involve a 'few days' either side for preparation and site reinstatement.
Location and security crews are reported to be staying in Caernarfon, while safety staff are said to be overnighting in Bangor. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
'The production is bringing a lot of money into local hotels, pubs and restaurants,' added Mr Horrigan. 'The crews are also being very respectful to the quarry. They've placed bins everywhere and there's no littering at all, which makes a nice change.'
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