Netflix’s show Vikings: Valhalla is a sequel to the History Channel’s Vikings. It was created by Jeb Stuart and includes Michael Hirst, who created Vikings, as an executive producer. The show takes place about a hundred years after the events of Vikings. Some of the story is set in Kattegat, the same location used in the previous series.
Where was “Vikings: Valhalla” Filmed?
“Vikings: Valhalla” was filmed mostly in County Wicklow, Ireland. This is the same place where Vikings was filmed. County Wicklow is home to Ashford Studios, where the Kattegat village was recreated. The real village was first built at Lough Tay, a lake surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains. Lough Tay looks like a Scandinavian fjord, so it was a perfect choice for the show.
Filming began in October 2020 at Ashford Studios. However, shooting was paused due to COVID-19 positive tests among the cast and crew. Later, it was found that many of these tests were false positives.
The first season had directors like Niels Arden Oplev, Steve Saint Leger, and Hannah Quinn.
Filming Locations in Wicklow
Lough Tay: In the show, Kattegat is shown as being in a Scandinavian fjord. For the real Kattegat, the establishing shots were filmed at Lough Tay in Ireland. The town of Kattegat was initially built on the shore of Lough Tay but was later moved to Ashford Studios.
Ashford Studios: Most of Vikings: Valhalla was filmed at Ashford Studios. This studio is less than an hour’s drive from Dublin. It has a large set that includes the gates of Kattegat and a small artificial lake that represents the shore of the settlement. The studio also includes a set of Roman fortifications and a section of a bridge. For the fourth episode’s battle scene, the bridge was broken into pieces and rebuilt for different shots.
Other Locations
Tamworth Castle, England: In the second episode, Tamworth Castle is shown. This 11th-century castle was not filmed in reality but was added using CGI (computer-generated images). Many outdoor scenes were also digitally edited to add snowy mountains or green pastures.
Uppsala Shrine: The shrine in Uppsala, a sacred Viking site, was inspired by the Stave Churches. This set was built in a small forest between Lough Tay and Lough Dan in County Wicklow.
The original wooden temples, like the 12th-century Hopperstad Stave Church in Norway, inspired this shrine. The old temple in Gamla Uppsala, Sweden, was destroyed in the late 11th century.
In summary, Vikings: Valhalla used beautiful locations in Ireland, especially County Wicklow, to bring its Viking world to life.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Vikings: Valhalla
Q: Where was “Vikings: Valhalla” filmed?
A: “Vikings: Valhalla” was primarily filmed in County Wicklow, Ireland. The show used Ashford Studios for most of its scenes, recreating the Viking village of Kattegat. Initial scenes were also filmed at Lough Tay, a lake surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains, which served as the setting for the Kattegat settlement.
Q: When did filming for “Vikings: Valhalla” start?
A: Filming for “Vikings: Valhalla” began in October 2020. The production initially faced delays due to COVID-19 positive tests but resumed after a few days.
Q: When did filming for “Vikings: Valhalla” end?
A: The filming of “Vikings: Valhalla” continued through 2021 and wrapped up in early 2022.
Q: When was “Vikings: Valhalla” released?
A: “Vikings: Valhalla” premiered on Netflix on February 25, 2022.
Q: Was any of “Vikings: Valhalla” filmed outside of Ireland?
A: Yes, some scenes in “Vikings: Valhalla” were filmed using CGI (computer-generated imagery) to create locations such as Tamworth Castle in England. However, most of the show’s filming took place in Ireland, particularly in County Wicklow.
