The iconic Walk of Shame in Game of Thrones was filmed at the Jesuit Staircase in Dubrovnik, Croatia, which doubled as the Great Sept of Baelor steps.
This 18th-century Baroque landmark is one of the most famous Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik. While best known for Cersei’s Walk of Shame (also known in the series as her Walk of Atonement), the historic stairs also appear in several major scenes, including King Tommen’s royal wedding and the funeral of Tywin Lannister.
- Real Location: Jesuit Staircase
- Show Location: The Steps to the Great Sept of Baelor
- Key Scenes: Tywin’s Funeral, Tommen’s Wedding, The Sparrow Blockade, The Walk of Shame
- Architecture: Baroque (Inspired by Rome’s Spanish Steps)
Game of Thrones Scenes Filmed at the Jesuit Staircase
While the “Walk of Shame” is the most famous scene filmed here, the production returned to these steps for several key moments connected to the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing. The scenes below are presented in the chronological order in which they appear in the series.
Tywin Lannister’s Funeral
The Lannisters ascend the grand staircase to lay the powerful Hand of the King to rest.
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Tommen and Margaery’s Royal Wedding
Tommen and Margaery are escorted to the Great Sept for their wedding.
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The Sparrow Blockade
Tommen is stopped before reaching the High Sparrow.
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Cersei’s Walk of Shame
Cersei begins her walk at the top of the staircase.
Explore Scene →How Dubrovnik Became King’s Landing (Walk of Shame Scene)
Slide to see how Dubrovnik’s view from the Jesuit Staircase during the Walk of Shame was transformed into King’s Landing. The base of Mount Srđ and surrounding houses were replaced with the towering Red Keep, while green screens were used to extend the set and enhance the scale of the crowd-filled street.
Behind the Scenes: CGI & The Body Double
Transforming these limestone steps into the religious heart of King's Landing was one of HBO's most expensive logistical feats.
Building the Great Sept of Baelor
To create the Great Sept of Baelor, a massive green screen was erected at the top of Dubrovnik’s Jesuit Staircase, fully masking the surrounding Jesuit complex. This allowed HBO’s visual effects team to digitally replace the Baroque architecture with the monumental religious center of King’s Landing, matching the scale seen throughout Game of Thrones.
Lena Headey’s Body Double Performance
Many fans are surprised to learn that a body double was used for the nude walk. Actress Lena Headey was pregnant at the time of filming; she performed the walk in a simple shift to focus entirely on the facial performance. The actress walking naked was Rebecca Van Cleave, whose body was later seamlessly "face-swapped" with Headey’s in post-production.
A Piece of Rome in Dubrovnik
The Jesuit Staircase isn't just a film set; it’s a masterpiece of urban design. Built in 1738, these steps were directly inspired by the Spanish Steps in Rome (completed just a decade earlier in 1725). At the time, it was the height of fashion for the Republic of Ragusa to mirror Roman Baroque architecture.
Note: If you visit today, the steps may look whiter than they do in the show. A recent restoration cleaned centuries of grime, returning the limestone to its original 18th-century glow.
The Steps in Real Life
Explore the layout of the Jesuit Staircase and see how the steps look from different angles today.
How to Find the Jesuit Staircase
The Jesuit Staircase is located in Dubrovnik’s Old Town near Gundulić Square. It connects the market square with the Church of St. Ignatius and is about a 10-minute walk from Pile Gate.
Visiting the Jesuit Staircase
- Cost: Free
- Access: Public street structure, open 24/7.
- Best Time: Early morning (around 7:00 AM).
- Tip: The steps get heavily congested during the day, especially when cruise ships are in port.