Skyrim Architecture | Windhelm

Welcome to the next installment of my Skyrim Architecture series, where I scout the Skyrim world in search of the most beautiful structures and landmarks Bethesda's award-winning franchise has to offer.

    This beautiful city is on the northeast corner of Skyrim and sits along the White River that flows into the sea.  In this area of Skyrim, it is very cold and you often see the port's waters frozen solid with ice.  There is a massive ice and snow-covered bridge that goes over the river that greets the stone walls of the city. 



    As you can see in this picture, Windhelm sits in between two large mountain ranges and its architecture has a "fortress" like look to it.  The Palace of the Kings, one of the oldest structures in the city and the home of the Jarl or "king", is on top of a hill that overlooks the city.  And you can easily see it as a striking figure in the picture above.

    Basically, the city is divided up into three "quarters" or districts as I would call them.  This is the Stone Quarter.  It is the first district you see when you enter through the city's gates.

     One of the most iconic buildings in Windhelm is the Candlehearth Hall. It is a very famous and ancient inn where visitors to the city often stay.

    The Gray Quarter, or Snow Quarter as it was once called, is mostly made up of residential buildings.  Although there are mostly homes in this area of the city, there are also some really neat shops.

    The last of the three Quarters is Valunstrad.  It is home to the cities largest and most majestic houses.  Most people that live here are very wealthy and have a high ranking in the city.  (Some of these homes remind me of structures from RCT3 that were part of the "spooky" theme.  They are very spooky.)

    The last, but certainly not least, is the Palace of the Kings.  It is the most iconic figure in the city and towers over everything beside it.  Basically, it is divided into four sections that join with the main hall.  As you walk into the massive bronze doors, you are greeted with a long dining table in the center of the hall.  The Jarl's throne sits in the back of the main hall, with rooms that go out from the sides.  In the Palace of the Kings, there are all kinds of rooms, including dungeons, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a labyrinth-type basement.

References:

>> The Elder Scrolls Wiki | Windhelm

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