Westeros is a huge place, and it's composed of many interesting areas, locales, and cities. Luckily for us, George R.R. Martin imbued his series with many rich details and histories, and the showrunners brought these glorious locations to thrilling life.
However, the show doesn't often go into detail about cities. While the books remain rife with histories, smells, sounds, details, and mythologies, the show is often more concerned with telling a story than bringing a specific city to light.
We can't exactly blame the show for that. But we're here to fix it. These are facts about every major location in Westeros.
The Wall Was ed By The Gift
Immediately south of The Wall is a location called The Gift, which is composed of two areas - Brandon's Gift and the New Gift. This area stretches fifty leagues south of The Wall and Castle Black and was once home to many small villages. These villages helped the Wall by paying taxes to the Night's Watch and providing them with provisions and food. However, as the Night's Watch slowly dwindled, so too did the villages in The Gift.
It's Possible That Dragon Eggs Were Laid In Winterfell
The World of Ice & Fire is the Song of Ice and Fire equivalent of The Silmarillion. And in it, we learn that Winterfell may have housed dragon eggs in its long and storied history. The Testimony of Mushroom claims that Prince Jacaerys Velaryon visited Winterfell during the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. It's said that Jacaerys' dragon, Vermax, laid his eggs in the Crpyt of Winterfell. However, this story is disputed by Citadel archmaester Gyldayn.
The Iron Islands Worship The Drowned God
The Iron Islands are located in the northwest portion of Westeros and are ruled by House Greyjoy. The Iron Islands made enemies of the Andals, who tried pushing the Faith of the Seven (which is now the most dominant religion in Westeros). The people of the Iron Islands refused to adopt The Faith of the Seven, as they worshiped the Drowned God, AKA He Who Dwells Beneath the Waves. All Andal attempts to supplant the Drowned God with The Faith resulted in failure.
The Twins Began As A Rickety Bridge
The Twins is one of the most memorable locations in Westeros, comprised two of identical castles and a massive bridge connecting them.
It is the seat of House Frey and is meant to protect the crossing of the Green Fork of the Trident. This location started its life roughly six hundred years ago as a rickety wooden bridge spanning a narrow portion of the river. The Freys amassed wealth by implementing a toll on river crossings, which in turn helped fund the expansion of their bridge and fortification.
The Eyrie Has A Winter House
The Eyrie is located on Giant's Lance, the tallest mountain in the Vale of Arryn. As you can imagine, living on top of a mountain would prove incredibly treacherous in the winter months - which is why the family has a winter house at the base of the mountain! This winter house is called the Gates of the Moon, and it's situated at the base of Giant's Lance. It's also watched over by the Keeper of the Gates of the Moon.
Casterly Rock Is Named After An Ancient Family
The World of Ice & Fire claims that Casterly Rock (the home of the Lannisters) was named after an ancient family known as House Casterly. The family's founder, Corlos, discovered gold within the area and subsequently constructed halls within the stone. However, the Casterlys were duped out of the area by Lann the Clever, who is said to be the founder of House Lannister. He claimed Casterly Rock for his own, and the area has been ruled by Lannisters ever since.
Aegon Targaryen Often Visited Riverrun
During Aegon's Conquest, House Tully leader Edmyn Tully aligned himself with the Targaryen conqueror against King Harren the Black. Aegon fought against King Harren the Black, and with his dragon Balerion, burnt Harrenhal to the ground.
In thanks for his allegiance, Aegon named Edmyn Tully Lord Paramount of the Trident and often visited Riverrun throughout his life.
King's Landing Began As The Aegonfort
Following Aegon's conquest of Westeros, he decided to set up shop on the mouth of the Blackwater Rush due to its centralized location. He built what was then called Aegonfort on Aegon's High Hill, a crude little fort that denoted his rule of Westeros. King's Landing was subsequently built around the Aegonfort, and when the fort fell into disarray, he ordered it razed to the ground. The Red Keep was subsequently built in its place.
Dragonstone Was Completed With Magic
Dragonstone is located on the entrance to Blackwater Bay and the ancestral home of House Targaryen. This is mainly due to its proximity to Old Valyria, which is where the Targaryens lived before conquering Westeros. They inhabited the island of Dragonstone and built the eponymous castle out of magic. Their intention was to make the castle look like a dragon, which in turn was intended to make it look as foreboding and fearsome as possible.
The First Men Came To Westeros Through Dorne
Dorne is located in the southernmost portion of Westeros, and it's here that the First Men crossed into the continent. They had crossed over from Essos via a land bridge called the Arm of Dorne. It's said that the children of the forest tried preventing the invasion by breaking the land bridge with something called the Hammer of the Waters. However, this is considered mere legend by prominent archmaesters, who propose that the Arm of Dorne had sunk underwater due to rising sea levels.