Hyrule Castle

The seat of power defended by Rauru's forces during the founding era.

Hyrule Castle stands as a central stage for the founding era depicted in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, though the Imprisoning War referenced in A Link to the Past is a separate event. During her encounter with the unsealed Demon King Ganondorf, Princess Zelda is sent back in time by the tear of the Light Dragon, not by the secret stone she swallows. Upon arriving in this era, she first meets ancient Zonai founders King Rauru and Queen Sonia at the Temple of Time. The Temple of Time serves as the primary stronghold for Rauru's forces as they rally allied tribe leaders against Ganondorf's invasion. The castle becomes a focal point of the conflict when Ganondorf leads the Gerudo in an attack on it, which Rauru and his forces thwart.

Quick Facts

Affiliation: Kingdom of Hyrule

Lore & Background

In this specific era, Hyrule Castle is the site where Princess Zelda aids King Rauru with royal duties. The castle is attacked by Ganondorf and his army of monsters but successfully defended initially by Rauru and his forces. Following a betrayal where Ganondorf kills Queen Sonia at Hyrule Castle and takes her secret stone, he does not seize Hyrule Castle. Instead, the final confrontation occurs at the location that becomes the Temple of Time, where Rauru, alongside the sages including Mineru, seals Ganondorf after defeating the archfiends.

Reader's Guide

Visually, the castle is described as the target of Ganondorf's initial assault and later his base of operations. Players or observers witness the transition from Rauru's defense to Ganondorf's seizure of the building. The narrative flow dictates that after defending it initially, the heroes must eventually attack it in a full-scale offensive. This assault involves defeating archfiends first, then confronting Ganondorf within the castle walls before retreating to Hyrule Field for the final sealing ritual.