Old Palace of Jaltra

The Old Palace in Jaltra stands as a majestic reminder of the city's past as the capital of the Kingdom of Remon. Originally built in 475 as a small fort, it was expanded in 987 during the reign of Dayn I, serving as the seat of the monarchy for centuries, housing Remon's kings and queens before the capital moved to Harsann in the 15th century.
The palace, with its sprawling courtyards, intricately carved stone walls, and towering spires, is now a mixture of grandeur and ruin. Though its role as the heart of royal power has long since faded, it remains a key cultural landmark and a site of great historical significance.
The architecture of the Old Palace reflects the kingdom’s ancient origins, with battlemented walls and tall, arched windows that overlook the bustling port and the cliffs of the city. It once held grand halls where monarchs held court and entertained foreign dignitaries.
The eastern wing remains a stronghold of Remon’s power. This section has been carefully maintained over the centuries and now serves as the residence of Princess Karenth Gannin, the younger sister of Dastan III. Princess Karenth holds a significant position in the royal family and oversees the palace’s garrison of elite troops, ensuring the continued security of the island.
Beneath the eastern wing lies the Royal Crypt, where the early monarchs of Remon, including Dayn I and Dastan I, are entombed. The crypt is a place of reverence, its ancient stone sarcophagi surrounded by flickering torches, with inscriptions detailing the deeds of Remon's earliest rulers. Access is strictly controlled, with only the royal family and their closest advisors allowed to descend into its hallowed chambers.
The western wing of the palace, however, is a stark contrast to the well-maintained eastern wing. Dilapidated and slowly crumbling into the sea, this wing is a dangerous and desolate place, patrolled only intermittently by the palace guards. Erosion from the cliffs has taken its toll, and large sections of the once-grand structure have collapsed, leaving jagged walls and open gaps that lead down to the rocky shore below. Hidden tunnels run from sea level up through the ruins, now abandoned. Occasional patrols by the garrison keep watch, but even the soldiers tread cautiously in this treacherous terrain.
Connecting the two wings of the palace is a grand gatehouse, its towering arches and reinforced doors a symbol of the palace’s former grandeur. The gatehouse stands as the main entrance into the palace complex and also serves as the boundary between the occupied eastern wing and the ruined western one. Just north of the gatehouse lies the Hall of Kings, a vast ceremonial space lined with murals depicting the early rulers of Remon.
Though it is used only occasionally for state functions, the Hall of Kings remains a potent reminder of the city’s history, with its high vaulted ceiling and rows of long tables. The Hall is prepared and polished whenever the kingdom requires a venue for grand ceremonies or diplomatic events. Every year, on the Festivals of the Dawn, the people of Jaltra gather to celebrate the day the sun first rose over the new palace after its construction.

Founding Date

475

Type

Palace