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GSnitch Hogwarts Castle is nominated for featured article. Feel free to review this article's entry.

"The castle is a stronghold of ancient magic."
Albus Dumbledore to Harry Potter[src]

Hogwarts Castle is a large, seven-story high building supported by magic, with many towers and turrets and very deep dungeons, built in the late Early Middle Ages (c. 993) by a wizard architect and the four most celebrated wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. The Castle houses Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, regarded as the finest wizarding school in the world.

Hogwarts is built in a valley area — surrounding mountains are part of the landscape — with the fairly large Black Lake to the south of the main building. The huge main oak front doors leading into the Entrance Hall face the west, and open up to sloping lawns. The deep Forbidden Forest extends around to the west of the Castle. There are also exterior greenhouses and vegetable patches on the school grounds.

Hogwarts is located in the Scottish Highlands, near the all-wizard village of Hogsmeade and "not far" from Dufftown, in Banffshire.

Magic

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Hogwarts in 1998

The castle is supported by magic (unable to be maintained or constructed by any other means)[1], a good example being the moving staircases, a feature contributed by one of the four Hogwarts founders, Rowena Ravenclaw.

Hogwarts is also protected by numerous ancient spells and incantations, such as the Anti-Disapparition Jinx. It is also unplottable and has been bewitched so that, if Muggles approach the castle, all they will see is a mouldering ruin with a sign warning them to keep out and that it is unsafe. The protective magic over Hogwarts is not only strong enough to apparently resist the dispelling effects of the Taboo but also to repel even talented dark wizards.

As a result of all the magic that occurs on premises (both from learning students, magical artefacts therein and the enchantments cast over the building itself) a magical atmosphere pervades the entire structure, causing any technology that is not adapted to run off of it (like Colin Creevey's camera) to fail.

Below Ground Floor

Chamber of Secrets

Main article: Chamber of Secrets
"He was standing at the end of a long, dimly lit chamber. Towering stone pillars entwined with more serpents, rose to a ceiling lost in darkness, casting long, black shadows through the odd, greenish gloom that filled the place"
— Harry, exploring the chamber
Chamber

The Chamber of Secrets

The Chamber of Secrets was allegedly created deep under the dungeons of Hogwarts Castle during Medieval times by Salazar Slytherin, who disagreed with the other Hogwarts Founders on the merits of blood purity. The Chamber of Secrets was home to an ancient Basilisk, which was intended to be used to purge the school of Muggle-born students. The entrance can be found in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom on the second floor. In order to gain entrance one must say "open" in Parseltongue and a sink will open into a slide. While falling down the large, dark pipe, one can see hundreds of other pipes leading off. At the end of the pipe, one is launched into a damp, stone chamber. This room is stated to be "miles beneath the school and under the Black Lake". This is where Tom Marvolo Riddle used his ability to speak parseltongue and attack Harry Potter.

Dungeons

Main article: Dungeons
DungeonsMemory

The dungeons of Hogwarts Castle are located under the school, and it is colder there than in the main castle. Contrary to popular rumour, Snape does not live there.

Dungeon cupboard

File:16.JPG
Main article: Dungeon cupboard

This cupboard is a small room off the Dungeon Corridor, just before the dungeon hall. This room was where Rubeus Hagrid hid Aragog in the early 1940s and, consequently, where Hagrid was framed by Tom Riddle on 13 June, 1943 as the one who had unleashed Slytherin's monster.

Death-day Party Hall

This was one of the roomier dungeons at Hogwarts Castle. The room is accessible via the Dungeon Staircase. On 31 October, 1992, this dungeon was where Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington's five-hundredth Death-day Party was held.

Potions Classroom

Main article: Potions Classroom
PotionsClass

The Potions Classroom

The Potions Classroom is where Potions classes are taught. The classroom used to be squared-sized, very large, with large tables and windows[2]. From 1995-1996, the classroom was of an oval shape and relatively smaller, with small work tables[3]. In 1996, the classroom was extended, adding space for more work tables[4].

Potions basement

Main article: Potions basement

There was a storage basement under the Potions classroom at Hogwarts Castle. It was accessible via a trapdoor and it was used to store cauldrons, ingredients and phials.

Head of Slytherin's Office

Snapes Office

Severus Snape's office.

This office was used by Severus Snape during his long tenure as Potions master at Hogwarts. It was a gloomy and dimly-lit room found in the school Dungeons. The shadowy walls were lined with shelves of large glass jars filled with slimy, revolting things, such as bits of animals and plants, floating in potions of varying colours[5]. The office had a fireplace. In a corner, there was a cupboard containing Snape's private stock of potion ingredients. The office is sealed with a spell only wizards can break[6].

Slytherin Common Room

Slytherin common room COS UE booklet 1

The Slytherin Common Room

Main article: Slytherin Dungeon

The Slytherin Dungeon is located behind a wall in the dungeons of Hogwarts. A Password spoken to the wall is required to enter it; whereupon a passage is revealed leading to the Common room -- a low-ceilinged, dungeon-like room with greenish lamps and chairs. This dungeon extends partway under the lake. Off of this room also includes the Slytherin Boys Dormitory.

Philosopher's Stone chambers

These chambers were a series of rooms underneath Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that served as the defences surrounding the Philosopher's Stone during the 1991–1992 school year. There were seven chambers in total that contained an obstacle or task that guarded the stone from being stolen.

  1. Fluffy (Stationed in the Third Floor Corridor guarding the trap door entrance to the chambers below)
  2. Devil's Snare
  3. Winged Keys
  4. Human Chess Game
  5. Troll
  6. Logic riddle [7]
  7. Mirror of Erised

Other locations in the Dungeons

Basement

Hufflepuff Common Room

HUFFLEPUFF CELLAR

The Hufflepuff Common Room

Main article: Hufflepuff Basement
"It is a very cosy and welcoming place, as dissimilar as possible from Snape’s dungeon. Lots of yellow hangings, and fat armchairs, and little underground tunnels leading to the dormitories, all of which have perfectly round doors, like barrel tops"
— Description[src]

The Hufflepuff Basement is the common room for Hufflepuff students at Hogwarts. The entrance to the Hufflepuff Basement is hidden behind some barrels. It can be entered by tapping a certain rhythm on the barrels. It is located near the kitchens. The cellar is decorated with yellow hangings and filled with fat armchairs. Underground tunnels lead off to the students' dormitories and all the doors are perfectly circular, like barrel tops. This is the only common room Harry Potter does not enter at some point during his years at Hogwarts.

Kitchens

GF 21

Tickling the pear

Main article: Hogwarts kitchen

The Hogwarts kitchen is located directly under the Great Hall, down the same staircase that leads to the Hufflepuff Common Room. It contains tables identical to those in the Great Hall and are directly below them; food must simply be placed on the tables in the kitchens, and it magically appears in the Great Hall. The kitchens are staffed by over 100 house-elves including Dobby, Winky, and Kreacher (after Harry Potter inherited him and ordered him there in 1996). To gain access to the kitchens, one must tickle the pear on a fruit portrait, which then turns into a door knob.

Boathouse

Boathouse

The Boathouse.

Main article: Boathouse

The Boathouse is an underground harbour at Hogwarts where the boats are stored and docked after bringing the first years to the castle every 1 September. Up until 1995 a portrait of Percival Pratt, hung on the walls, concealing a short-cut to the Grand Staircase. After Pratt's portrait was removed, there were only three entrances to this building: the path outside the Paved Courtyard, the stairs down from the Viaduct Courtyard, and the Lake.

Ground Floor

Entrance Hall

Main article: Entrance Hall
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The Entrance Hall

The Hogwarts Entrance Hall is located on the ground floor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with a wide marble staircase opposite the oak doors. Double doors to the right lead into the Great Hall. The Hufflepuff common room, the kitchens, the dungeons, and the Grand Staircase can also be accessed via the Entrance Hall. There is also an annex off the hall where Professor McGonagall speaks to the first years before the Sorting ceremony at the beginning of each school year.

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The Chamber of Reception

Chamber of Reception

Main article: Chamber of Reception

The Chamber of Reception is a little building before the Entrance Hall where Professor Minerva McGonagall makes the first year students wait before the Sorting ceremony and the Welcoming Feast.

Vlcsnap-2011-10-27-15h37m00s157

The Viaduct Courtyard

Viaduct Courtyard

Main article: Viaduct Courtyard

The Viaduct Courtyard is located off the Entrance Hall. Most students witnessed the departure of Fred and George Weasley here in the spring of 1996. This courtyard replaced the Entrance Hall antechamber beyond 1994.

Great Hall

Great hall

The Great Hall.

Main article: Great Hall

The Great Hall in Hogwarts is the main gathering area in the school. Students eat their meals, receive daily owl posts, and have certain special events. The Great Hall is a large hall that can easily hold all of the school's students, staff and guests. It has tall walls that reach up to the ceiling, which is enchanted to look like the sky above.

Staffroom

Main article: Staffroom

A long, panelled room with mismatched, dark wooden chairs. There is a wardrobe inside it which was once home to a Boggart. The entrance to this room is guarded by two talking stone gargoyles.[8]

Caretaker's Office

Main article: Room 234-00

The caretaker's office is the room where Argus Filch lived in Hogwarts Castle. It is connected to the Entrance Hall, on the Ground Floor of Hogwarts Castle. It is a small, simple, windowless room with a single oil lamp in the ceiling. It smells vaguely of fried fish.

HBP Dumbledore's Death - Exclusive @ Olumencia

The Tranfiguration Courtyard

Transfiguration Courtyard

Main article: Middle Courtyard

This is one of the cloisters in the inner part of Hogwarts Castle. This courtyard has grass in the open area, in which a big tree has grown over the centuries. There is one massive iron Armillary Sphere that stands in the centre of the courtyard.

Transfiguration department

Transfiguration classroom

The Transfiguration Department

This is a wing at Hogwarts Castle containing the rooms dedicated to the teaching of Transfiguration. The Transfiguration department is presumably located around the Middle Courtyard area, including such rooms as Classroom 1B.

Transfiguration Classroom

Assembly Hall

The Transfiguration Classroom

Main article: Classroom 1B

This classroom is where Transfiguration class is taught. The classroom is located on the ground floor around the Middle Courtyard. The classroom itself is big, surrounded by high windows, has four rows of three desks, and still has enough room for several cages and bookshelves, two chalkboards, and a desk.

Classroom Eleven

Main article: Classroom Eleven

Classroom Eleven is on the ground floor of Hogwarts Castle. It was used by the Centaur Firenze, who taught the subject of Divination. Albus Dumbledore changed the room to look like the Forbidden Forest, Firenze's home.

Viaduct Entrance

The Viaduct Entrance

Viaduct Entrance

Main article: Viaduct Entrance

A big chamber which connects the Viaduct to the first floor by a staircase that leads to the Tapestry Corridor. There is also an archway that leads down the Potions staircase to the Dungeon Corridor.

The Quad

The Quad

The Paved Courtyard during the Battle of Hogwarts

Main article: The Quad

This courtyard is located on the Hogwarts Castle exterior area. It is connected to the Viaduct and the Boathouse. Four towers are located at either corner of this courtyard: The Grand Staircase Tower, Gryffindor Tower, North Tower and Stone Bridge Tower; and the Hospital Tower and Suspension Bridge Towers are located in the middle of two different sides.

Viaduct

Viaduct (II)-DH

The Viaduct

Main article: Viaduct

This viaduct is constructed of stone, and extends all the way down to the lake. It is connected to the Viaduct Courtyard at one end and extends out into some nearby hills (presumably part of the Forbidden Forest). It is possible that the entrance footpath leads here.


Other locations on the ground floor

Grand Staircase

Hogwart Grand Staircase

Grand Staircase

Main article: Grand Staircase

The Grand Staircase is a massive structure in Hogwarts Castle, mainly used to access each floor of the castle, including the dungeons. There are hundreds of Portraits covering the walls in this tower, some of which conceal secret passages to other areas within the school. The multiple staircases in the Grand Staircase lead from platform to platform and go as high as the seventh floor where they come to an end.

First Floor

History of Magic Classroom

Hom class

The History of Magic classroom

Main article: Classroom 4F

This classroom is where History of Magic classes are taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The subject is taught by Professor Cuthbert Binns, a ghost, who is widely regarded by almost all Hogwarts students as the most monotonous and boring teacher in existence.

Muggle Studies Classroom

This classroom is where Muggle Studies classes are taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hospital Wing

Infirmerie

The Hospital Wing

Main article: Hospital wing

The Hospital wing was run by Poppy Pomfrey. Students who suffer mishaps during the school year are sent or brought to the hospital wing for treatment. The hospital wing is well equipped to deal with all manner of magical and mundane injuries, from broken limbs to regrowing lost bones. Only in the most severe cases are students sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for further treatment, such as when Katie Bell touched a cursed Opal necklace in 1996.

Matron's Office

Poppisoffices

Poppy Pomfrey's office

This office is a large room adjacent to the Hospital wing at Hogwarts Castle owned by Poppy Pomfrey, the matron. It contains a bookcase, a desk, two closets, two beds for patients, and another bed closed off from the room by a curtain.

Gryffindor Head's Office

Tranf-office

The Gryffindor Head's Office

The Gryffindor Head Office is positioned on a corridor which may be accessed by climbing the large staircase in Hogwarts' Entrance Hall. This office was occupied by Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house, for many years.

Stone Bridge

StoneBridge

The Stone Bridge in 1995

Main article: Stone Bridge

The Stone Bridge is next to the Suspension Bridge. It connects the main first-floor corridor of the Stone Bridge Tower with the Tapestry Corridor in the Viaduct Entrance.

Tapestry corridor

Tapestry Corridor OotP

The Tapestry Corridor

Main article: Tapestry Corridor

This corridor located on the first floor of Hogwarts Castle. It connects the Viaduct Entrance to the main first floor. Its walls are covered in tapestries and, hung over the tapestries, portraits of wizards.

Storeroom

Potions storeroom 1

The Storeroom

This storeroom is located in the Tapestry Corridor, this was where Severus Snape stored his private supply of potions and potion ingredients. It was one of two known potions' store rooms in the castle; this being his private store; the other being the student store cupboard. The students cupboard is located in the dungeons. Items stored in Snape's store room included Veritaserum and ingredients for Polyjuice Potion.

Girls' lavatory

File:First floor girls bathroom.jpg

Girls' Lavatory

Located on the first floor this was where a Mountain Troll attacked Hermione Granger on 31 October, 1991.

The Quad battlements

Hp7b trl10441

The Quad battlement

Main article: The Quad battlements

There were battlements all around the top of The Quad, at Hogwarts Castle.

These battlements were used by the Hogwarts defence during the Battle of Hogwarts. They were heavily damaged during the course of the Battle, with parts of the floor falling in, revealing the corridors below.


Other locations on the first floor

Second Floor

Girl's Lavatory - Out of Order

Lavgirls

The Girl's Lavatory - Out of Order

This girls' lavatory (also known as Moaning Myrtle's bathroom) is situated on the second floor of Hogwarts Castle. It has been out of order ever since a student named Myrtle was killed there. Myrtle has haunted the bathroom ev r since, leading it to be a place most students do not want to enter. This bathroom holds the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.

Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor's Office

Lockhart DADA office

The Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor's Office

The office used by the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is located on the second floor of Hogwarts Castle. It is connected to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom by two staircases.

Other locations on the second floor

Third Floor

Charms Classroom

Charms class2

The Charms Classroom.

Main article: Classroom 2E

This classroom is where Charms classes are taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The classroom has four long, large desks that are built like stairs, and are located on both sides of the classroom. There is also a large fireplace in the room, as well as several stacks of books, where Professor Flitwick lectured his pupils.

One-Eyed Witch Passage

Spiral Stairs One-Eyed Witch Passage

The One-Eyed Witch Passage

The One-Eyed Witch Passage is a secret tunnel that leads from Hogwarts to the cellar of Honeydukes Sweetshop in Hogsmeade. Harry Potter first learned of it from Fred and George Weasley when they gave him the Marauder's Map in 1993.

Trophy Room

Trophy Room1

The Trophy Room

Main article: Trophy Room

The Trophy Room is where awards, trophies, cups, plates, shields, statues, and medals are kept in crystal glass displays. This room also contains a list of Head Boys and Head Girls. Prominently displayed are Hogwarts Awards for Services to the School, with known recipients being Tom Marvolo Riddle, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Probably, in 1995, the Triwizard Cup was placed here as well. The Trophy Room is connected to an Armour Gallery.

Library

LibraryHBP

The Library

Main article: Hogwarts Library

The Library is located on the third and fourth floors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and contains tens of thousands of books on thousands of shelves. Overseen by Madam Irma Pince, the library is where students can go to peruse or borrow books to supplement their studies (or for personal enjoyment). The library closes at 8 pm.

Third Floor Corridor

Third Floor Corridor

The Third Floor Corridor

Main article: Third Floor Corridor

The Third Floor Corridor on the right side of the Castle was out of bounds during the 1991–1992 school year because it was the access point to the Chambers where the Philosopher's Stone was being hidden. Fluffy, a three-headed dog owned by Rubeus Hagrid, guarded a trap door that led into the Chambers.

Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom

DADA

The Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom

Main article: Classroom 3C

This classroom is where Defence Against the Dark Arts class is taught. It is located on the third floor. Although in 1991, Professor Quirinus Quirrell taught in a different classroom because the third floor was out of bounds. An iron chandelier hung from the ceiling, as well as a Dragon's skeleton. On one end of the classroom stands a projector that is activated by magic. Several desks and tables can be found in the classroom as well as some sets of large windows. The classroom decoration had several changes over the years, spanning from lots of pictures of Gilderoy Lockhart to tons of skeletons and Shrunken Heads.

Clock Tower Entrance

Clock Tower Entrance

the Clock Tower Entrance

Main article: Clock Tower Entrance

This is one of the three main entrances of Hogwarts Castle. It consists of a large open space at the base of the Clock Tower with two stairwells going up towards the upper levels of the tower. Opposite the main entry there is a large window. A portrait of Damara Dodderidge was hung here and, in 1995, so was a portrait of Termeritus Shanks. The massive pendulum of the Clock swings over this entrance. The entrance can be sealed with a portcullis (which can be lowered and raised with the aid of a lever) and the massive double doors can be locked with numerous bolts.

Other locations on the third floor

Fourth Floor

Restricted Section

RestrictedLibrary

The Restricted Section

Main article: Restricted Section

The Restricted Section is an area in fourth floor section of the Hogwarts Library closed off by a rope and only accessible to students with permission from a professor. In order to enter, they must present a signed note from a professor. The books within the Restricted Section typically discuss the Dark Arts or other information not for the general public or young children. They may be studied by older students for Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Study area

Main article: Study Area

This study area is a library on the fourth floor of Hogwarts Castle, located near Classroom 4F. There is a secret passageway hidden behind a bookshelf which leads to the Seventh Floor Corridor, just opposite a portrait of Sir Cadogan, as well as another behind a tapestry, which Hermione Granger accessed using Draconifors. There is a large fireplace, and a door leading to the Fourth Floor Corridor.

Storage Room

Erised storage room

The Mirror of Erised storage room

This room is where the Mirror of Erised was kept from September to December 1991 and where Harry saw the image of himself and his deceased relatives including his parents. After this it was moved under orders from Dumbledore to protect the Sorcerer's Stone.

Bathroom

This is the bathroom where Graham Montague appeared after entering the Vanishing Cabinet in 1995.

Cuthbert Binns's office

This office was used by Cuthbert Binns as Professor of History of Magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The office had a fireplace. It also had two closets, the teacher's desk and a table. Behind a curtain was Cuthbert's bed, although since becoming a ghost it is unlikely that he used it.

Other locations on the fourth floor

Fifth Floor

Prefects' bathroom

Prefects Bath

The Prefects' Bathroom

Main article: Prefects' bathroom

This is a special bathroom that is restricted to use by school Prefects, Head Boys, Head Girls and Quidditch captains. It is located on the fifth floor behind the fourth door to the left of a statue of Boris the Bewildered, which only opens when given the correct password, which when mentioned in the fourth book; by Cedric Diggory, is 'Pine Fresh.'

Art classroom

Main article: Art Classroom

This is where both Art and Muggle Art classes are taught at Hogwarts. This classroom has six easels, three paintings on the walls, a cabinet, a table, and the teacher's desk.

Music classroom

Main article: Music Classroom

This classroom is located in the Fifth Floor Corridor of Hogwarts Castle. It is in this classroom that both the Music and Muggle Music classes are taught at Hogwarts.

Other locations on the fifth floor

Sixth Floor

East Wing

Main article: East Wing

This is a large hall located on the sixth floor of Hogwarts Castle. There is a huge fireplace in the center of the room and some portraits hung on the walls. There are various suits of armour, which guard the room after the sun is down. The entrance is located on the Glanmore Peakes' Corridor and it has an entryway to the room Fred and George Weasley hid the Marauder's Map.

Boy's Lavatory

There is a passage leading from this bathroom to the seventh floor. Draco Malfoy was attacked by Harry Potter with Sectumsempra in this lavatory in 1997.

Disused Bathroom

This bathroom has not been used since sometime prior to 1993. In that year, Fred and George Weasley moved their shop from a bathroom on the seventh floor to this one.

Study of Ancient Runes Classroom

Ancient Runes classroom

Ancient Runes Classroom

Main article: Classroom 6A

This classroom is where Study of Ancient Runes and Ancient Studies classes are taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It includes some desks, a bookcase and a lectern for the professor.

Horace Slughorn's second office

This office was once used by then-Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor Galatea Merrythought, it is now used by Horace Slughorn, Potions Master. Fairly roomy, this office included a fireplace with two large sofas surrounding it, a round dinner table big enough to sit ten people and access to a private balcony. It had enough space to hold a Christmas party. Also, the room has two entrance doors, with at least one connecting to the sixth floor.

Room of Rewards

Main article: Room of Rewards

This room is a secret room at Hogwarts that notes students' various achievements. It can be accessed via the portrait of Vindictus Viridian on the Grand Staircase. It is not to be confused with the Trophy Room.

Other locations on the sixth floor

Seventh Floor

Ravenclaw Head's Office

The Ravenclaw Head's office is the thirteenth window from the right of the West Tower. The office contains portraits, a desk, and sleeping quarters. This was where Sirius Black was held captive, awaiting the Dementor's Kiss in 1993. He was rescued by Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, and escaped on Buckbeak the Hippogriff.

Room of Requirement

Ror ootp movie

the Room of Requirement

Main article: Room of Requirement

The Room of Requirement is a secret room in Hogwarts that only appears when a person is in great need of it. The room then transforms itself into whatever the witch or wizard needs it to be at that moment. It is believed that the room is Unplottable, as it does not appear on the Marauder's Map, nor do its occupants, although this could simply be because James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew never found the room.

Hall of Hexes

Hall of Hexes

The Hall of Hexes.

Main article: Hall of Hexes

The Hall of Hexes is a hall on the seventh-floor of Hogwarts Castle, close to the Room of Requirement .

Arithmancy classroom

Arithmancy classroom

Arithmancy Classroom

Main article: Classroom 7A

The Arithmancy Classroom is where Arithmancy classes are taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is located on the seventh floor of Hogwarts Castle. It includes number charts, a blackboard and large rows of tables for students to sit in. It may also be where Advanced Arithmancy Studies is taught.

Fat Lady's Corridor

Fat Lady corridor PS 1

The Fat Lady's Corridor

Main article: Fat Lady's Corridor

This corridor contains the portrait of the Fat Lady that serves as the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The corridor is at least one turn away from the Grand Staircase. In the 1993-1994 school year, security trolls were stationed here to protect the Fat Lady following the attack on her by Sirius Black.

North Wing

Northwing

The North Wing

Main article: North Wing

This wing has hundreds of bookshelves lined along the walls and various tables and furniture placed around the room. It serves the Castle as a reading room and study hall. There are two entrances; one in the seventh floor corridor and the other by the Fat Lady's portrait.

Disused Bathroom

Fred and George's Bathroom

The Disused Bathroom in 1993

This bathroom is accessible through a portrait in the reading room, as well as a door on the other side of the castle. It was unused prior to 1991, by which time Fred and George Weasley had taken up residence there and set up their own shop for Gryffindor students. In 1993, the twins abandoned the bathroom and set up their shop in a different bathroom on the sixth floor in the Glanmore Peakes' Corridor.

Divination Classroom

Divination

Divination Classroom

Main article: Divination Classroom

This is where Divination classes are taught at Hogwarts. It is located in the North Tower. It is accessible through a circular trapdoor and is described as looking like a cross between somebody's attic and an old-fashioned teashop. The Divination Staircase leads to this classroom.

Divination Professor's office

This office is the workplace and residence of the Divination professor. It is located up a small staircase from the Divination Classroom.

Other locations on the seventh floor

Towers

Astronomy Tower

AstronomyTower

The Astronomy Tower

Main article: Astronomy Tower

The Astronomy Tower is the tallest tower at Hogwarts Castle surrounded by a parapet and turret. It is where students study the stars and planets through their telescopes in Astronomy lessons with Professor Aurora Sinistra. This is usually done at midnight where the stars are best seen. The tower is usually out-of-bounds except for classes. All the way down from the boathouse you can see the huge window of the Astronomy Tower. Located within this tower is the Astronomy Corridor, Astronomy reading room, Astronomy classroom, Astronomy stairwell, Astronomy department and the Astronomy Room.

Bell Towers

Bell towers

The Bell Towers

Main article: Bell Tower

The Bell Towers are two towers that rise over the main entrance to the Herbology Greenhouses. Between the two towers are a set of double wooden doors which lead along the first floor corridor. Inside the left Bell Tower is Filch's Office.In the first two films, the towers were quite short and had small "balcony-like areas" below the turrets at the top.

Clock Tower

Clocktower

The Clock Tower

Main article: Clock Tower

The Clock Tower does not begin at the Ground Floor level. Because it is placed on top of a hill, the Tower begins at the Third Floor level. When you enter the Tower, there is a huge space, like an Entrance Hall with flights of wooden stairs at the right and left side. The first landing is at the Fourth Floor level. It is at this landing that are the clock's gears and face. This same corridor connects the Tower to the remaining castle. If you go up another flight of wooden stairs, you will get to another landing, this time at the Fifth Floor level. It is in this landing that are the clock's bells; some massive gold and copper bells. There is another corridor at this landing; like the other, it links the Tower to the main castle.

Dark Tower

The Dark Tower

The Dark Tower

Main article: Dark Tower

The Dark Tower is a small but high tower near the Transfiguration Courtyard at Hogwarts Castle. This tower seems to be used as a prison. It has several prison cells, with the topmost being at the roof. The cells are not, however, charmed or otherwise protected against breaking-in from the outside. It has seven floors.

Defence Against the Dark Arts tower

Dadatower

The Defence Against the Dark Arts Tower

The Defence Against the Dark Arts Tower stands next to the Viaduct Entrance and overlooks the Suspension Bridge. The tower has a "semi-circular" shape and is where DADA lessons are held and where the DADA professor's office is. Minerva McGonagall's office is located on the first floor of this tower. The Defence Against the Dark Arts staircase runs through the centre of this tower.

Grand Staircase Tower

Copy of x film harry courtyard

The Grand Staircase Tower

Main article: Grand Staircase Tower

This tower is probably the most prominent and recognisable feature of Hogwarts Castle. The tower is a circular shape and has a cone shaped roof. The Grand Staircase is located here, and at the top of this tower, are three smaller towers which make up the the Headmaster's tower and serve as the Headmaster's office and residence.

Gryffindor Tower

Gryffindor tower

The Gryffindor Tower

Main article: Gryffindor Tower

Gryffindor Tower is located behind the portrait of the Fat Lady on the Seventh Floor of Hogwarts Castle. A Password is required to enter it, which is spoken to the portrait. A circular hole is behind the painting, leading to the Common room, which is a circular room where Gryffindor students can relax after a long day of studying. The Common room is full of squashy armchairs, tables, and a bulletin board where school notices, ads, lost posters, etc. can be posted. A window looks out onto the grounds of the school, and a large fireplace dominates one wall.

The Common room is usually where celebration parties are held after Gryffindor Quidditch victories, or when Harry Potter completed a task for the Triwizard Tournament. It was also the location for Harry and Ginny Weasley's first kiss following Gryffindor's Quidditch Cup victory in 1997. The Common room fireplace was used on several occasions by Sirius Black to contact Harry while he was on the run from the Ministry of Magic.

The Gryffindor dormitories are also located in the Tower, with two doors leading off from the Common room that open to spiral staircases. One of them leads to the girls dormitory, the other to the boys. The stairs to the girls dormitories are enchanted to become a slide if any boy attempts to climb them, but not vice-versa, since it was deemed that girls were more trustworthy than boys.

Headmaster's Tower

Headmaster's Tower

Headmaster's Tower

Main article: Headmaster's Tower

The Headmaster's office is located within this tower. To gain entrance, a password must be given to a stone gargoyle, which will move aside at the correct password to reveal a spiral staircase with moving steps. The office is a circular room with windows, decorated with portraits of previous Headmasters including Dilys Derwent and Phineas Nigellus Black. Many magical instruments are kept here, such as the Sorting Hat and the Pensieve.

Hospital Tower

Hospital tower

The Hospital Tower

Main article: Hospital tower

This is one of the many towers of Hogwarts Castle which has a semi-ovular shape. It is located on one side of The Quad and is at the end of the hospital corridor which connects the Clock Tower to the rest of the castle. On the first floor of the tower is the hospital wing and school matron's office. There is also a staircase that leads to the fourth-floor corridor and, by extension, to the Grand Staircase.

North Tower

North tower

The North Tower

Main article: North Tower

The North Tower is one of the many towers in the castle. The tower is the location for Divination classes and the Divination teacher's office. The entrance consists of a ladder leading through a trap door.

Ravenclaw Tower

Ravenclaw Tower

The Ravenclaw Tower

Main article: Ravenclaw Tower

The Ravenclaw Tower is located on the west side of Hogwarts, the staircase leading up to the common room is presumably located on the fifth floor, and is the location of the Ravenclaw common room and dormitories. The entrance to the room is at the top of a spiral staircase, and is a door without doorknob or keyhole but a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. In order to enter the room, you must answer a question asked by the eagle knocker; if you answer wrong, you must wait for someone who gets it right.

Stone Bridge Tower

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The Stone Bridge Tower

Main article: Stone Bridge tower

This is one of the four towers surrounding The Quad. It overlooks the Stone Bridge. The first floor landing of the tower goes over here connecting the First Floor Corridor to the Stone Bridge.

West Tower

West Tower

The West Tower

Main article: West Tower

The Owlery is located on the top of this tower. During the winter months, the tower is very cold, to the point that one has to be careful with ice on the higher landings. A tightly spiraling staircase leads from the bottom of the tower on the seventh floor up to a door leading out onto the battlements.

Other Towers

The Grounds

Gamekeeper's Hut

Main article: Rubeus Hagrid's cabin

The gamekeeper's hut is located on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper during Harry Potter's time at Hogwarts, lived here for many years.

Hagrid's hut view from the stone circle

Hagrid's Hut

The Forbidden Forest

Forest

The Forbidden Forest

Main article: Forbidden Forest

Also known as Dark Forest or Black Forest, the forest borders the edges of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry grounds. As its name suggests, it is strictly off limits to students - except in the case of detention, or Care of Magical Creatures lessons that occasionally take place there. Of course, with the various dangerous creatures, such as centaurs, Thestrals, unicorns, Hippogriffs and Acromantula living in the Forest, few students would probably even want to venture into it.

Greenhouses and Gardens

Greenhouses

Herbology greenhouses near the lake

Main article: Hogwarts greenhouses

There are at least three greenhouses in which Herbology classes are held, under Professor Sprout's supervision. Greenhouse Three is restricted to students as it houses dangerous plants such as Venomous Tentaculas, Mandrakes, and others.

The Lake

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The Black Lake

Second Task Lake

Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament.

Main article: Black Lake

The Black Lake is a large body of water located to the south of the castle. It is about half a mile in diameter and the Hogwarts plumbing network drains into it. It is home to a giant squid and a colony of Merpeople. The lake was also used as the site of the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament.

Quidditch Pitch

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The Quidditch Pitch

The school has its own Quidditch pitch where each house's Quidditch teams practice and play games against each other. Each year will see a total of six inter-house matches, along with numerous training sessions by each house team.

Quidditch Gate

Main article: Quidditch Gate

The Quidditch Gate is the entrance to the Quidditch Pitch. It is flanked by two stone structures which resemble two of the spectator towers surrounding the pitch. Inside the gate, several trophies and shields are housed. Through the gates leads to a steep winding downhill decent from the vicinity of the Covered Bridge.

Entrance Gates

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The Entrance Gates

Main article: Entrance Gates

The Entrance Gates to Hogwarts are located a short distance from Hogsmeade Station. The gates would be opened on the first day of term and carriages pulled by Thestrals would take students up to the castle. The Entrance Gates are made of magnificent wrought iron and are flanked by two columns topped with statues of winged boars. Just a few yards from the gates is a small guardhouse with a tall chimney.

Clock Tower Courtyard

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The Clock Tower Courtyard

Main article: Clock Tower Courtyard

The Clock Tower Courtyard is a cloister on the base of the Clock Tower at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This cloister seems to be one of the older parts of the castle and the ceiling and walls are dilapidated. It also leads to the Covered Bridge.

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The Covered Bridge

Covered Bridge

Main article: Covered Bridge

The Covered Bridge is a feature of Hogwarts Castle. The bridge appears derelict, and is constructed of wood beams which extend to the floor of the ravine it lays across. The roof of the Covered Bridge is sagging and appears thatched and tarred. The bridge blends in with the natural environment surrounding it.

The Covered Bridge begins at one end of the Clock Tower Courtyard, at the base of the Clock Tower. At the end of the covered bridge there is a small stone gazebo with benches. Outside of it is the Stone Circle. Given its unstable look it is possibly held up by magic.

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The Training Grounds where first-years learn to fly a broomstick.

Training Grounds

Main article: Training Grounds

This is where Flying classes are taught to first years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by Madam Hooch. The grounds are flat, short-cut grassy areas and are located near the Herbology greenhouses. It is overlooked by the Training Grounds Tower.

Tomb

Dumbledore's tomb.

White Tomb

Main article: White Tomb

The White Tomb is the only grave at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Located on the shores of the Lake, it is the final resting place of Albus Dumbledore, who willingly gave his life in the service of the Order of the Phoenix fighting Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters in the course of the Second Wizarding War.

Other locations on the grounds

Unknown locations

Book of Monster's Repair Workshop

The Book of Monster's Repair Workshop is one of the rooms at Hogwarts Castle that is seen on the Marauder's Map. It is, presumably, the place where damaged copies of The Monster Book of Monsters are repaired.

Cauldron cupboard

Main article: Cauldron cupboard

The Cauldron cupboard is one of the rooms seen on the Marauder's Map. It is possibly a store room where cauldrons are kept. It is possible that the cupboard is close to the Potions Classroom or Snape's provisions cupboard.

Stink Bomb Store

Main article: Stink Bomb Store

The Stink Bomb Store is one of the rooms seen on the Marauder's Map. It is possibly an illegal store, because when a Hogwarts Professor bursts in the students inside it run out of the room. It is (possibly) the place where Stink Bombs and Dungbombs are sold.

Serpentine Corridor

Main article: Serpentine Corridor

This is a wide, curved corridor in the Hogwarts Turris Magnus at Hogwarts Castle. One can access the Defence Against the Dark Arts, the Ghoul Studies and Arithmancy Classrooms through this corridor, as well as Lost Wands.

Other unknown locations

Origin of name

Hogwarts by Grandpre

Hogwarts

Before the Four Wizards built the castle, the site was a rocky hill beside the loch; there may have been remains of older fortifications on the site. The name 'Hogwarts' was coined by Rowena Ravenclaw, who picked the site after having a dream where a warted hog led the founders to the site.

Behind the scenes

"When it came to the third film, Alfonso really wanted to put his mark on the films. And then a lot of things altered: anything from character looks, to the actual layout of Hogwarts itself."
Warwick Davis [[src]]

Differences between books, films, and LEGO Video Games

Throughout the Harry Potter films, Hogwarts Castle has changed significantly:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

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Hogwarts in Philosopher's Stone

In the Philosopher's Stone film, only the parts of the castle that were needed for the film were created. This means that many areas of Hogwarts were missed. Areas of the castle included in the film were:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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Hogwarts Castle in the Chamber of Secrets

In the Chamber of Secrets film, there are a few small changes:

  • The Training Grounds Tower's design has been changed, it now looks similar to the Clock Tower, only without the clock.
  • The Training Grounds have been redesigned to have a more ruined aged design.
  • The Greenhouses are added to the east corner of the castle below the Bell Towers.
  • The Whomping Willow is added to the Training Grounds. It is possible that the Whomping Willow was there in Philosopher's Stone, but it was never shown.
  • A trench is added to the Quidditch stadium.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The Prisoner of Azkaban film sees the most drastic changes to the castle in the series. But, the main shape of Hogwarts is still there. These changes probably came about because of the new director, Alfonso Cuarón. These are some of the main changes that are seen in this film:

Inside the castle there are the following changes:

  • Dumbledore's Owl Podium makes its first appearance in this film.
  • The bronze statue of the Hogwarts Architect in the Entrance Hall has been removed (though it returns in the fifth film).
  • The extra corridor connecting the Entrance Hall to the Grand Staircase has been removed. The Grand Staircase is now directly connected to the Entrance Hall.
  • The entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room is moved to the Grand Staircase.
  • The Grand Staircase is made higher, and now has 10 stories.
  • The furniture in the Gryffindor Common Room has been re-arranged and there are more portraits on the wall in this film than in the others. This is due to a scene which was cut from the final film in which Sir Cadogan moves through the portraits and talks to Professor McGonagall.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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Hogwarts in the Goblet of Fire"

In the Goblet of Fire film, there are the following changes:

Inside the castle there are the following changes:

  • In the Great Hall, the raised wooden platform on which the Staff Table sits is modified slightly. A second, higher section is added, allowing for a second table to be placed in front of the existing one. This table appears to be where the people in charge of the Triwizard Tournament sit. The table disappears following this film, but the second raised section remains.
  • In the Entrance Hall, the door leading into the Chamber of Reception is replaced with two large wooden doors that connect the Entrance Hall to the Viaduct Courtyard.
  • The cabinets in the Headmaster's Office receive a slight makeover. They now have glass in the doors (as opposed to grilles). Also the Pensieve Cabinet has been added.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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Hogwarts Castle in the Order of the Phoenix

The Order of the Phoenix film sees the least changes as nothing noticeable happens to the castle. However:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

In the Half-Blood Prince film, there are two major changes from the earlier films:

  • The Astronomy Tower is added which means that the D.A.D.A. Tower and Dark Tower are removed.
  • The Training Grounds Tower is replaced by another smaller bell tower.
  • The Entrance Gates are added further down the hill to the back of Hogwarts. It is possible that these were present in the previous film adaptations but were not shown.
  • The Central Tower has been shortened by one story to make the new Astronomy Tower seem taller.
  • Two towers instead of one are now placed on the left side of the Clock Tower Courtyard. The right side remained with one tower.
  • The Quidditch Pitch was moved to the opposite side of the covered bridge beyond Hagrid's Hut. It is possible this change was there before, but not seen until Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

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While omitted from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 aside from a brief cameo appearance, once the film was released, it was shown that although the third film had the highest number of modifications to date, Deathly Hallows: Part 2 has arguably the highest number of changes to prominent features and locations in and around Hogwarts. The noticeable changes to the castle are as follows:

It should be noted that the castle shown burning in the teaser poster is actually the look of Hogwarts in Half-Blood Prince.

Most of these modifications were made in order to make the castle more convenient for the battle scene in the film.

Many of these edits to the castle's layout throughout the films can be explained as the effect of the school's ability to change its architecture by magic. However, certain elements, such as the Ravenclaw Tower, can be considered to have always been a part of the castle and simply never seen until the film they are introduced in, and the movement of the Viaduct and the redesign of the Grand Staircase in Deathly Hallows. The grounds around the castle seem to have change great throughout the films too, most notably in Prisoner of Azkaban and Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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Hogwarts in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

A castle has been built in Universal Orlando Studios for the Forbidden Journey in the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park". It includes:

Although it is based on the castle seen in Half-Blood Prince, most of it is missing and it differs greatly from the one seen in the films:

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First Concept Art of Hogwarts WWHP

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Final Concept Art of Hogwarts WWHP

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

The castle seen during the ride is Hogwarts as seen in Half-Blood Prince, but there are some differences:

  • The new Boathouse from Deathly Hallows is added.
  • A skinnier version of the new tower seen in the Deathly Hallows trailers, adjacent to the Stone Bridge Tower, can be seen.

The Queen's Handbag

The castle seen here is the same as seen in the first film.

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Hogwarts in the LEGO Harry Potter game seems to be based on the castle seen in Prisoner of Azkaban, although it is based on the first four films. Presumably this is because it includes the Entrance Hall Antechamber which only appears in the first three films; also, the Central and Bell Towers have the shape used from the third film onwards. However, the Clock Tower is not connected to the castle like in the films. Additionally, it seems that the Whomping Willow will change location from the second to third year as it does in the films. The North Tower also receives its own courtyard, the North Tower courtyard.

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7

Hogwarts in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 seems to be based on the castle seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. However, there are some diferences. The Astronomy Tower does not overlook the Middle Courtyard, and the Dark Tower is there instead, last seen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film). The Boathouse, the Training Grounds Tower and the Stone Bridge tower remain unchanged, and there are two Viaducts: one connecting the Viaduct Courtyard to the Viaduct Entrance, and the other connecting the same courtyard to the grounds, as it does in the last film adaptation. Despite that, the two checkpoint towers are not there. Finally, The Defence Against the Dark Arts tower is still there.

Appearances

Notes and references

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A model of Hogwarts castle.

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