The nine holds of Skyrim
Skyrim is divided into nine holds, each ruled by a Jarl from its capital. Pick a hold to see its capital, notable dungeons and quests.
Eastmarch
Eastmarch stretches from the volcanic hot springs south of Windhelm to the frozen coast of the Sea of Ghosts. It is the heart of the Stormcloak rebellion, ruled from the ancient Palace of the Kings by Ulfric himself. Giants, Dunmer refugees and the Orc stronghold of Narzulbur share its steaming tundra.
- Capital:
- Windhelm
- Jarl:
- Ulfric Stormcloak
107
locations mapped
Windhelm
Falkreath Hold
Falkreath Hold covers the pine forests and lakes of southern Skyrim along the Cyrodiil border. Its small capital is known mostly for its large graveyard, while the hold hides Bleak Falls Barrow, the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary and the burned town of Helgen. Lake Ilinalta and the Guardian Stones sit at its northern edge.
- Capital:
- Falkreath
- Jarl:
- Siddgeir
100
locations mapped
Falkreath
Haafingar
Haafingar is the smallest hold but holds Solitude, the Imperial capital of Skyrim, perched on a natural stone arch above the Karth river delta. The Bards College, the Blue Palace and the East Empire Company docks are here, and Castle Dour commands the Legion. To the west lie the Thalmor Embassy and the vampire island of Castle Volkihar.
- Capital:
- Solitude
- Jarl:
- Elisif the Fair
79
locations mapped
Solitude
Hjaalmarch
Hjaalmarch is a foggy marsh hold in the northwest, ruled from the quiet town of Morthal. The swamps hide Movarth's vampire lair, the sunken ruins of Ustengrav and the sprawling Nordic city of Labyrinthian. Frostbite spiders, chaurus and mudcrabs make the wetlands dangerous at night.
- Capital:
- Morthal
- Jarl:
- Idgrod Ravencrone
50
locations mapped
Morthal
The Pale
The Pale is a snowbound northern hold whose capital, Dawnstar, is a mining port on the Sea of Ghosts. Its tundra and glaciers hold Korvanjund, Shearpoint, the Dwemer ruin of Raldbthar and the Dawnstar Sanctuary of the Dark Brotherhood. The Nightcaller Temple of Vaermina looms directly above the capital.
- Capital:
- Dawnstar
- Jarl:
- Skald the Elder
68
locations mapped
Dawnstar
The Reach
The Reach is a rugged western highland hold dominated by the Dwemer-built city of Markarth. Forsworn rebels hold many of its redoubts and cliff camps, fighting both the Nords and the Silver-Blood family who control the silver mines. Dragon priest lairs such as Ragnvald and Valthume and the hidden Sky Haven Temple are found here.
- Capital:
- Markarth
- Jarl:
- Igmund
118
locations mapped
Markarth
The Rift
The Rift is the autumn-colored southeastern hold, famous for its birch forests, Lake Honrich and the canal city of Riften. The Thieves Guild operates from the Ratway beneath the city while the Black-Briar family runs the meadery and much of the local politics. Forelhost, the Shadow Stone and Fort Dawnguard are among its notable sites.
- Capital:
- Riften
- Jarl:
- Laila Law-Giver
141
locations mapped
Riften
Whiterun Hold
Whiterun Hold is the open grassland in the center of Skyrim, crossed by nearly every major road. Its capital sits on a hill beneath the Throat of the World and houses the Companions in Jorrvaskr and the Jarl in Dragonsreach. Giants, mammoths and bandit camps dot the tundra, and Riverwood and Rorikstead are its main villages.
- Capital:
- Whiterun
- Jarl:
- Balgruuf the Greater
98
locations mapped
Whiterun
Winterhold
Winterhold is a frozen northeastern hold whose once great capital collapsed into the sea during the Great Collapse. The College of Winterhold still stands on its cliff and is the center of magical study in Skyrim. Saarthal, Ysgramor's Tomb and many shipwrecks along the icy coast make it a favorite of explorers.
- Capital:
- Winterhold
- Jarl:
- Korir
80
locations mapped
Winterhold
Solstheim
Solstheim is an ash-covered island northeast of Skyrim, governed by House Redoran from the Dunmer town of Raven Rock while the Skaal keep their old ways in the north. Added by the Dragonborn DLC, it is where Miraak's temple, the All-Maker stones and the Black Books of Hermaeus Mora are found. Reach it by hiring the Northern Maiden at the Windhelm docks.