Solitude

Where Solitude is on the map

Solitude is the capital of Skyrim and of Haafingar, in the far north west. The city is built on top of a natural stone arch that curves out over the Sea of Ghosts, so the harbor and the East Empire Company warehouse sit below the walls. Solitude Stables and Katla's Farm are just outside the gate, the road south leads to Dragon Bridge, and the Solitude Lighthouse marks the coast to the north.

Key buildings in Solitude

The Blue Palace at the far end of the city is the seat of the Jarl and holds the sealed Pelagius Wing. Castle Dour is the headquarters of the Imperial Legion, where General Tullius and Legate Rikke plan the war. The Bards College trains musicians and runs the Burning of King Olaf festival, and the Temple of the Divines is the largest temple in the province. Shops include The Winking Skeever inn (Corpulus Vinius), Radiant Raiment (Taarie and Endarie, clothing), Angeline's Aromatics (potions), Bits and Pieces (Sayma, general goods), the Fletcher (Fihada, bows and arrows) and the Solitude Blacksmith run by Beirand.

Jarl, steward and housecarl

Jarl Elisif the Fair, widow of High King Torygg, rules from the Blue Palace. Falk Firebeard is her steward and Sybille Stentor is court wizard. When you become Thane of Haafingar, Jordis the Sword-Maiden is assigned as your housecarl and moves into Proudspire Manor.

Proudspire Manor: the Solitude player home

Proudspire Manor is the most expensive home in the base game at 25,000 gold. Falk Firebeard sells it after you complete The Man Who Cried Wolf and Elisif's Tribute. It stands between the Bards College and Vittoria Vici's house, near the Blue Palace. Furnishing costs 2,000 (bedroom), 1,500 (kitchen), 2,000 (living room), 2,500 each for the alchemy and enchanting stations and 500 for the patio, with a 3,000 gold child's bedroom from Hearthfire. See Skyrim houses for cheaper options.

Quests, merchants and trainers

Quests that begin in Solitude include The Man Who Cried Wolf (investigate Wolfskull Cave), Elisif's Tribute, Fit for a Jarl, Tending the Flames (joining the Bards College), The Mind of Madness (the Pelagius Wing, one of the Daedric quests) and Joining the Legion at Castle Dour. The East Empire Company warehouse on the docks also leads into Thieves Guild and Blood Horkers business.

Giraud Gemane at the Bards College is a master Speech trainer, and Sybille Stentor teaches Destruction at expert level. More are listed in Skyrim trainers.