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The Iron Throne is in NYC: Hidden ‘Game of Thrones’ replica found in Queens park 

Francesca Lucania, 24, and Austin Cooper, 25, of Whitestone, sit on the Iron Throne replica hidden by HBO to promote the final season of "Game of Thrones" in Fort Totten Park.
Francesca Lucania, 24, and Austin Cooper, 25, of Whitestone, sit on the Iron Throne replica hidden by HBO to promote the final season of "Game of Thrones" in Fort Totten Park. Photo Credit: Shaye Weaver

The wars of Westeros have made way to New York City. 

"Game of Thrones" fans flocked to a replica of the HBO series’ coveted Iron Throne, discovered at Fort Totten Park in Queens. By Sunday morning, the wait to sit in the throne was more than six hours long, causing police to close off the line.

The throne was one of six hidden by the network around the world to promote the premiere of the series’ eighth and final season. News of the Queens location spread quickly, resulting in a three-hour wait at the park on Friday afternoon, according to HBO. 

Jeduthun Zia of Elmhurst and Daniel Guan of Bayside arrived at the park at 7 a.m. on Sunday — it was their third time trying for a chance to sit in the throne.

"This is the coolest thing to ever happen in Bayside, but also nothing does really happen here," Zia said.

"It feels like there are more people here than the Fourth of July," Guan said before they gave up and left. "There’s always tomorrow."

A cryptic tweet from the official "Game of Thrones" Twitter account first teased the New York location on Thursday. "A new city flying a starry banner seeks protection from the Great War. How far will you go #ForTheThrone," the tweet read.

HBO announced the quest for the hidden thrones last week. Six photos of thrones in undisclosed locations, with little surrounding details visible, were posted online at forthethrone.com/quest.

A long line of people wait for the chance to sit on the Iron Throne.   
A long line of people wait for the chance to sit on the Iron Throne.    Photo Credit: Howard Simmons

"Quest #ForTheThrone honors the distances traveled by characters in the show, and as the host of the world premiere, we felt it was only fitting to end this epic quest in the New York," a statement from HBO explained.

The replica in the Bayside, Queens park, was first discovered by Melanie Joaquín, who told HBO producers she recognized the stone structure as the former military base in the teaser image. For locating the throne first, Joaquín was dubbed the "Queen of Queens" by HBO and presented with a golden crown. 

The Iron Throne remained at the park for fan photo-ops through Monday evening. It was located in the lower level of the castle-like Fort Totten, at Totten Avenue and 15th Road. 

Evan Antzoulis, 15 months, takes the Iron Throne at Fort Totten Park.
Evan Antzoulis, 15 months, takes the Iron Throne at Fort Totten Park. Photo Credit: Howard Simmons

The park was chosen for its "dark and ominous setting, reminiscent of the basement of Kings Landing, where the Mad King stored his destructive wildfire, and where Queen Cersei waged to destroy the Great Sept of Baelor," the network said in a statement.

The Queens throne was the last to be discovered. Others were spotted by fans in Brazil, Spain, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 

New Yorkers who missed their chance to sit in the Iron Throne will at least have the opportunity to see one — on a huge scale. HBO has installed a massive Iron Throne at 30 Rockefeller Plaza that is available for viewing (and pictures) now. 

"Game of Thrones" returns to HBO on April 14.