Game of Thrones #GoTexhibit in Berlin

No one needs to be prepared for the dark season yet. But die-hard fans of George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series "Game of Thrones" have been ready for weeks for the #GoTexhibit, which runs in Berlin from May 13-17. After that, it heads to Amsterdam in late May. John Bradley, known in the series as the Night's Watch steward Samwell Tarly, was at the launch of the exhibition in London in February.

If the series blends medieval history with fantasy, the Game of Thrones #GoTexhibit adds the most modern technology to it all. The consumer version of this virtual reality headset, Occulus Rift, should be on the market in 2016. Visitors can enter a cage and wear special goggles and headphones for a 4-D experience that reproduces a dizzying GoT experience.

It is the fastest way up this 700-feet-high and 300-mile-long fortification: The virtual ride brings you in a wobbly wooden lift up to the top of the ice wall, which is supposed to protect the Westeros from the Wildlings and White Walkers. Physical shaking and fake wind adds to the feeling you are actually right there. Beware: The breakneck plunge in the icy depths is even quicker.

Since the creation of the TV series in 2011, fan sites have proliferated. Westeros.org is the first fansite, founded by Elio García. He knows so much about the series that George R.R. Martin now checks with him to confirm details in his story. Beyond the sex and violence, "Game of Thrones" is renowned for its amazing costumes. True fans get into cosplay, reenacting their favorite characters.

Over 2,800 different props and 10,000 weapons have been developed for the show's first four seasons. At the exhibition, more than 70 authentic artifacts can be seen up close, with some from the new season, which just started airing in Germany on Sky Atlantic HD. The level of detail is stunning: For instance, costumes go through a two-week aging process to make sure they look authentic, even in HD.

It took about 200 hours to make Margaery Tyrell's bridal gown (shown in the middle here). The seamstress Michele Carragher and designer Michele Clapton embroider intricate patterns on the costumes to symbolize the allegiances of the characters as they evolve over the series. The average episode costs $6 million to make. The series is filmed on three continents and in six countries.

Frank and Marion Müller are the first German superfans, a true hobby. They now accompany GoT events. Here they are dressed as Ellaria Sand and Oberyn Martell. Marion made the costume herself - she's reproduced several other gowns of the series too. The costume designer Michele Clapton was so impressed by her work that she invited her to visit her studio in Belfast. "It was fantastic!" she says.

The #GoTexhibit allows visitors to be filmed against a green screen and get their few seconds of "Game of Thrones" fame. Give it all you can while you get burned alive by the flames of Drogon the Dragon. Who knows, your performance might lead you to an Emmy.

The fire breathing dragons on "Game of Thrones" are among the show's biggest stars. This one isn't moving: It takes the German digital effects company Pixomondo a whole lot of wizardry to get them flying. Since they didn't find any real dragon to model their animations, they combined features from other creatures, such as eagles and bats.

Some think they are a creature of legends, others believe they went extinct thousands of years ago. Yet disturbing reports claim the creepy zombie-like ghost creature is still "alive" and well. One look at this White Walker replica might convince you that these claims are true.

You can't hide the fact a White Walker has touched you once you get that frosted face and icy blue eyes. This is another interactive photo that can be taken at the exhibition. To make sure all your friends know about your new status, you can post that picture to Facebook or Twitter even before you leave the exhibition.

The #GoTexhibit aims to get even more people talking about the show online. Before your visit, you must pledge to a particular House. This gives you a code number which will follow you throughout your interactive visit. The results of your experience are directly posted to a website under your login. Here, actress Kerry Ingram, who portrays Shireen Baratheon in the HBO series, tries out the app.

A visit of the #GoTexhibit would not be complete without a selfie on the Iron Throne itself, which according to the legend was made out of the thousand swords of Targaryen's conquered enemies. Don't worry about feeling the cut of the blades while sitting on it: Although most pieces of the exhibition are authentic, this seat is a fiberglass replica.

Some 12,000 visitors are expected during the four days of the #GoTexhibit in Berlin. The free tickets were distributed within 30 minutes back in April, but some ticket holders are trying to resell them on the Internet. German superfans of the series still have a few months to get ready for the RingCon: The annual fantasy convention will be held in Bonn in November.