Winterfell

The First Keep

Place Age of Heroes The Crypts

Winterfell grew outward from this keep. It is round and heavy-set, built of old grey stone and taller than it looks from the yard, and it has stood empty for hundreds of years. Rain has worked on the gargoyles along its top for so long that most are lumps now, with here and there a snarl still showing.

It keeps company with the oldest things in Winterfell. The door to the crypts opens close beneath it. The lichyard lies in its shadow, with the graves of the old kings’ most faithful servants, and the broken tower stands near its northern side.

Read next

  • The Crypts

    Under the castle the dead Starks keep their seats in stone, stone wolves at their feet, iron swords across their knees.

  • The Lichyard

    An old burial ground in the shadow of the First Keep, where the Kings of Winter laid their most trusted servants.

  • The Broken Tower

    Once Winterfell’s tallest watchtower, struck by lightning long ago and never rebuilt; crows hold the top of it now.

  • Brandon the Builder

    The founder of House Stark in the Age of Heroes, said to have raised Winterfell and the Wall with giants’ help.

In the journey: The Crypts