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For other uses, see Dracula's Castle (disambiguation) and Castlevania (disambiguation).

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"This castle is a creature of Chaos. It may take many incarnations."
Alucard in Symphony of the Night

Dracula's Castle (ドラキュラ城 Dorakyura Jō?), also known as Demon Castle (悪魔城 Akumajō?) or Castlevania, is Count Dracula's lair and symbol of his magic.[1] It houses an army of his supernatural minions, and tends to collapse when Dracula is defeated. Yet, it is able to restore itself and reappears intact in later games, even the ones where Dracula has not yet revived himself.

Overview

The exact location of the castle is impossible to determine. Being an entity of chaos, it has the ability to reemerge in different places whenever it revives. Still, the vast majority of times it has reappeared was in Europe, in Transylvania.

If one takes into account the events from the original 1897 novel that inspired the series, as well as real historical landmarks where Vlad III Drăculea was known to inhabit, that may be indication that the castle from the series was at some point located somewhere in Transylvania or in northern Wallachia, where one of the voivode's real castles, Cetatea Poenari, is located.

Nevertheless, due to its supernatural nature as symbol of Dracula's magic and its ability to revive in different regions, the castle in the series cannot be considered the same as the historical landmarks. It does not exist in the earthly plane but is, in fact, a spiritual world atop another dimension.[2][3][4] Owing to this, whenever Dracula himself is killed, the castle generally ends up collapsing and leaving no trace behind, the only known exception being when Simon Belmont confronted Dracula in 1691 up to 1698, where only the keep portion of the castle collapsed while the outer areas up to the wall remained relatively intact.

The appearance of the castle also varies; in artwork for the original Castlevania it appears to be on top of a mountain, while in Symphony of the Night it is located off the shore of a lake, and in Curse of Darkness it resides by the ocean (maybe the Black Sea).[citation needed] In Symphony of the Night, Maria Renard remarks the castle is different from how she remembers it (she had fought in it five years earlier during the events of Rondo of Blood). Alucard, who had probably once lived there, notes the castle is "a creature of chaos", hinting at the castle's origins and explaining its constantly changing nature.

It is possible the castle originally belonged to Walter Bernhard. His castle had the familiar strange keep structure present in Dracula's Castle. If this was the case, the castle dates back to at least the 11th Century. In 1094, the castle appeared more like a traditional medieval castle than the more elaborate Gothic architecture seen elsewhere. One factor in favor for Walter's castle being Castlevania is that, in Curse of Darkness, the abandoned castle is the place where only a Belmont's blood can gain access to the infinite corridor. Seeing as Leon Belmont was the first Belmont proclaimed at Walter's castle, the abandoned castle could be Walter's original castle.

A factor against the theory of Walter's castle becoming Castlevania is that at the end of Lament of Innocence, Mathias Cronqvist (Dracula) leaves the castle in the form of a bat and it is not known where he went, or if he ever returned. The Japanese instruction booklet for Castlevania: The Adventure outright states Dracula to have built his castle himself at the outskirts of Transylvania.[5] Koji Igarashi has also expressed that one of the reasons for the change of the franchise's Japanese title from "Akumajō Dracula" to "Castlevania" was due to there being no Dracula, nor his castle, on a given game, indicating that the castle seen in Lament of Innocence might indeed not be the same castle that Dracula uses later down the chronology.[6]

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Following Dracula's defeat in 1999, the castle was sealed into a solar eclipse. It was later visited by Soma Cruz in 2035 and almost ended up returning, although it was ultimately sealed back up when Soma rejected Chaos, and by extension, his destiny of becoming Dracula. In 2036, Celia Fortner and her cult built a castle immensely similar to Dracula's to foster the growth of a new Dark Lord. As her plan was left in ruins, the castle completely collapsed. The castle, or at least a copy created via Legion, ultimately returned due to Olrox effectively taking over as the Dark Lord, until Death put an end to him. Arikado later made sure the castle was still sealed away when learning from Lucy Westenra that darkness was coming once more.

Rooms and features

See also: Environments

Castlevania's interior constantly shifts between games, below are a few of the rooms that have appeared.

Recreation

Research

Underground

Similar structures

Although the general structure of the castle is never the same from one game to another, some places keep a similar structure in some opuses.

Entrance

Entrance's attic

Outer wall

Dungeon

Waterfall

Fountain

Other fountains that aren't located in Dracula's Castle but that reference it:

Game appearances

While the castle, or a replacement, has appeared in every game that comprises the Castlevania series to date, this section mainly focuses, but is not limited, to those instances when the castle has appeared as its own named stage or area.

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Simon's Quest)

The final act of the game actually takes place inside of Castlevania, which now lies in ruins after years of abandonment following the outcome of the first game. A few sights are still recognizable, such as the long entrance corridor adorned with tall curtains. The castle can only be accessed through the collection of all five of Dracula's body parts, which Simon must bring to the basement to burn them, resulting in a final confrontation with the Dark Lord himself, who must be defeated once again to lift the curse that befell the land after their first encounter seven years ago.

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Dracula's Curse)

About two thirds of the game take place outside the castle, as renowned vampire hunter, Trevor Belmont, travels the Transylvanian countryside in his quest to defeat the vampire lord, Count Dracula. Throughout his journey and depending on the paths he chooses, he may meet and recruit new companions who will surely help him in this task.

Once inside the castle, the world map is replaced with one of its interior (which is very similar to the one from the first game, although this time scrolling vertically instead of horizontally). The stages will then converge on the Main Hall. From here on, the game only consists of completing level after level (that is, no more options are given to follow different paths) until reaching the castle keep and facing the fiend himself.

Super Castlevania IV

This retelling of the first game retakes and expands the concept of beginning the first act by traveling across the Transylvanian countryside, passing through wilds, caves and rivers, until reaching the Demon Castle, at which point the world map is once again changed into a map of the castle's interior, this time viewed from an isometric perspective. From here on, the last levels of the game are accessed, leading to the final confrontation with the Count.

Castlevania: Bloodlines

Main article: Ruins of the Castle Dracula

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Symphony of the Night)

One day, after Richter Belmont had gone missing, Dracula's Castle appeared, as if to show Maria Renard the way to Richter's whereabouts. Alucard also set off to this castle to face his father after he had awoken from his 300 year slumber due to the imbalance of power left behind with Richter's absence. The first half of the game takes place in this castle. Richter was later revealed to be the actual Lord of the Castle, or at least was led to believe that he was. After freeing him from the control of Shaft, a second castle was revealed in the sky, which was an inverted version of the first castle, where Dracula would actually be resurrected in. Travel between the two castles would become freely possible at this point. The first castle did not crumble until Dracula was defeated in the second one.

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Aria of Sorrow)

Dracula's Castle was revealed to have been sealed in a solar eclipse after the Demon Castle War in Aria of Sorrow. Years later, Soma Cruz mysteriously awoke inside of the castle and the eclipse. The entire game takes place there.

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Curse of Darkness)

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Portrait of Ruin)

In Portrait of Ruin, the main bulk of the game takes place inside of Dracula's Castle, which serves as a hub of sorts to access the game's many portraits, which are entrances to the different areas that comprise the game. Furthermore, the castle itself is divided into six individual areas that are connected to each other:

  1. Entrance
  2. Buried Chamber
  3. Great Stairway
  4. Tower of Death
  5. Master's Keep
  6. The Throne Room

This time, the castle was taken over by Brauner, who resurrected it using the souls of those dead in World War II and separated Dracula from the castle using his portraits. However, Death was also awakened alongside the castle and retains full loyalty to Dracula, and seeks to get Brauner removed to reinstate its proper master.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Order of Ecclesia)

Once Barlowe has been defeated in Ecclesia, Dracula's Castle emerges courtesy of Barlowe's last ditch sacrifice and beckons Shanoa to enter it. The castle serves as the setting for the final act of the game, and it's also divided in many individual and different sections, which all in conjunction comprise about the second half of the game:

  1. Castle Entrance
  2. Library
  3. Underground Labyrinth
  4. Barracks
  5. Arms Depot
  6. Mechanical Tower
  7. Forsaken Cloister
  8. Final Approach

Other appearances

Captain N: The Game Master

Main article: Castlevania (Captain N)
Castlevania (Captain N) - 01

Castlevania in Captain N: The Game Master.

Dracula's Castle appeared in the Captain N: The Game Master crossover cartoon series that ran from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, being a frequent setting in many episodes, where villains usually reunited to plan their evil schemes and the heroes subsequently visited in order to thwart their plans. Not to much surprise, the owner of the castle was Dracula, although in the series he was solely referred to as "The Count" (apparently, due to copyright reasons), and likewise, the castle was never called after his name, but simply as "Castlevania".

In fact, the word "Castlevania" indistinctly referred both to the castle, as well as the entire realm where it was located; being one of the many realms that composed Videoland, a virtual world where many video game heroes (and villains) hailed from.

Castlevania (animated series)

Main article: Dracula's Castle (animated series)
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Panoramic view of the castle by Jose Vega.

The castle is the home of Vlad Dracula Tepes. During peacetime, it is his home and laboratory. In wartime, it is a weapon of such danger and potency as to be legend.

It is implied that the castle was built by Dracula himself. The building is both a technological and supernatural marvel; it incorporates electricity and advanced mechanics in its workings. In addition to using technology that is centuries beyond of what the outside world possesses at the time, the castle is also known to operate with the aid of supernatural elements.

The whole structure is also capable of teleporting to any location, which can be done softly or in an explosion of fire.

During events of Season 3 the castle is a home of Dracula's son Alucard who lives there mostly in isolation.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Super Smash Bros.)
Dracula's Castle - Super Smash Bros

Dracula's Castle stage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Dracula's Castle is featured in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a playable stage. Renowned enemy characters from the Castlevania franchise, such as Medusa, the Mummy, The Creature and Flea Man (Igor), Carmilla, the Werewolf, Death, and even Dracula himself, appear in the stage from time to time as background elements.

The castle also acted as the main setting for the announcement trailer for Simon Belmont's inclusion to the game as a playable character, where he arrived at the castle to deal with Dracula, while Luigi, who had arrived at the castle before Simon for unknown reasons (but probably continuing his ghost-catching career from the Luigi's Mansion series), was overwhelmed by the castle's unearthly inhabitants. The full castle was then seen after Luigi screamed at the sight of Carmilla's mask.

Dracula's Castle - Super Smash Bros

Dracula's Castle sub-area in Adventure Mode: World of Light.

In Adventure Mode: World of Light, Dracula's Castle appears as an area in the World of Dark, taking a form very similar to the entire map of the original Castlevania. The player must make use of cannons to dispel evil spirits and battle their way across the castle, ascend to the top, and defeat Dracula as part of the process to make Dharkon appear in the World of Dark's main hub. The characters Ridley, Daisy, Wario, Dark Pit, Robin, Ken and Richter Belmont can be recruited here.

Dead Cells

Main article: Dracula's Castle (Dead Cells)

Dracula's Castle appears in the Return to Castlevania expansion to the game Dead Cells.

Similar castles

Gallery

Trivia

  • The word "Castlevania" was created by Emil Heidkamp, Konami of America's senior vice president at the time, who believed the game's Japanese name was translated as "Dracula's Satanic Castle", and therefore he chose to change it out of potential religious sensibilities.[7]
  • In the first game, only the keep portion of the castle collapses, while later games had the entire castle collapsing. This was because it was originally intended that the keep area –more specifically the clock tower gears– acted as Dracula's metaphorical heart and could only remain standing as long as Dracula himself remained alive.[8]
  • Several real life castles have served as inspiration in Dracula's design over the games:[9]
  • In real life, Poenari Castle was Vlad Ţepeş' most prominent outposts. Poenari was chosen for its strategic location: built high atop a precipice to gauge properly the lands of southern Romania all around, with a bottlenecked path in and out of its domain, making it hard to infiltrate, and large enough to accommodate a small army, making it difficult to siege. Long after his reign, Poenari Castle is reported to have hauntings and unusual phenomena within its grounds by visitors. While based upon more lavish and grandiose real world castles, Castlevania itself appears to take its geographical and even strategic aspects from Poenari, from its seaside/lakeside position, elevation upon natural mountains and structures, and to be used as a fortification for an army.
  • The castle is referred to as "Dracula's Tower" in an American commercial for Super Castlevania IV.
  • Aside from the Demon Castle that frequently acted as the setting of the series, Soma Cruz in Aria of Sorrow twice alluded to a castle that Count Dracula owned in Europe,[12][13] which was presumably referring to either Bran Castle, Poenari Castle, Hunyad Castle, or Mount Izvorul Câlimanului from the novel.
  • The stage Big Battle from Contra: Hard Corps (also from Konami), when seen from the outside, bears a resemblance to Dracula's Castle, with the ending of the stage emulating the classic 'castle crumbling while the hero stares at a distance' ending from Castlevania titles. The interior also bears a long walkway upward to the base's center.
  • The Dark Castle from the Boktai series (also by Konami) is probably a reference to Dracula's Castle. It is a castle that can travel in space by the combined powers of the Count and Carmilla (themselves also being Castlevania references), along with other enemies.
    • The castle itself bears some resemblance to the Reverse Castle from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, mainly from the cutscene where it is introduced.

See also

References

External links

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