
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Netflix's newest fantasy series, Shadow and Bone, introduces viewers to a fantastical world so detailed, no one would fault you if you had to watch with a map pulled up on your phone. The show is a faithful adaptation of the Grishaverse, a series of nine YA books written by Leigh Bardugo. It follows Alina Starkov, a mapmaker in the First Army of Ravka, a country inspired by imperial Russia that has been at war with each of its border countries for centuries. Alina discovers that she has a rare magical power that can destroy the Shadow Fold, a swath of monster-filled darkness that has killed many Ravkans, including Alina's parents.
The first season of Shadow and Bone takes place across three fictional countries, but all feel like distinctly different settings. Filming for Shadow and Bone took place in the country of Hungary, in central Europe—and much in-studio and on-location filming took place in historical sites in Budapest, Hungary's capital. Here's what we know about where the Shadow and Bone cast and crew filmed their vast fictional world.
Season 1 was filmed in the Hungarian countryside.
Filming for Shadow and Bone started in October 2019 in Hungary and finished in early March 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic paused productions worldwide. There was also some supplemental filming in Vancouver, Canada, in September and October 2020. Hungary is a popular filming location for fantasy shows; Netflix's The Witcher and The Last Kingdom also filmed in Hungary.
There was also plenty of outdoor filming in the Hungarian countryside. For outdoor filming, the cast and crew had to deal with harsh weather across the seasons. According to the site Distractify, most of the rain, sand and sleet seen on the show was real.
Part of the show was filmed at Budapest's Orgio Studios, one of the biggest movie studios in Europe, known for hosting big-budget productions such as Blade Runner 2049 and Atomic Blonde.
The Ketterdam and Ravkan palace scenes were filmed in Budapest.
Shadow and Bone's city and palace scenes were filmed throughout Hungary's capital, Budapest. The main Ravkan palaces are the king and queen's Grand Palace and the neighboring Little Palace, where Alina trains in combat and using her powers. Ketterdam, the capital of Kerch, was inspired by Amsterdam, Las Vegas, and old New York (a.k.a. New Amsterdam), and is known in the Grishaverse as a hub of international trade where residents travel by waterways.
Budapest is known for its stunning mix of old and new architecture. The city's 13th-century Buda castle and palace complex, which housed multiple kings of Hungary, was featured in the show, as well as multiple other palaces and old government buildings around Budapest. According to The Cinemaholic, cast members Ben Barnes and Freddy Carter described its architecture as a mix of "east and west," which fit the tone of Shadow and Bone. They also described the city as "czar punk," similar to steampunk with Russian elements, fitting with Ravka's Russian influence.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Quinci LeGardye is a Contributing Culture Editor who covers TV, movies, Korean entertainment, books, and pop culture. When she isn’t writing or checking Twitter, she’s probably watching the latest K-drama or giving a concert performance in her car.
-
Princess Charlotte Can Do This Difficult Skill, Just Like Her Mom Princess Kate—But Kate Admits Charlotte is Better at It
“I’ll have to keep practicing now.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Pete Davidson’s Latest Romance Appears to Be with Madelyn Cline of ‘Outer Banks’ Fame
Both went through breakups this summer.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Selena Gomez Roasts Herself in TikTok Video: “Guess Who Has a Boyfriend? Not Me, Bi—”
She has been embracing her single status as of late.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
By Andrea Park
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
The cast and crew are pausing the hit show in support of the writers' strike.
By Andrea Park
-
Kim Cattrall Didn't See or Speak to Her Costars When Filming 'And Just Like That' Cameo
That's some type of commitment.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 50 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On
Wait, how is it already 2 a.m.?
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Selena Gomez Revealed Meryl Streep Is Joining 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3
Fans are losing it.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 56 Best Musical Movies of All Time: Iconic Movie Musicals
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell