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Imperial Palace

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This article is about the Imperial Palace on Coruscant. You may be looking for the palace on Bastion or the palace on Malastare.

Imperial Palace

General information
Constructed	Pre-10,000 BBY^[1]
Destroyed	27 ABY^[1]
Location	Palace District, Coruscant^[2]
Builder	Galactic Republic^[1] Expanded by the Galactic Empire Repairs and refurbishments post-27 ABY^[1]
Height	3 kilometers
Width	approx. 20,000 meters^[3]
Usage
Era(s)	Old Republic era^[1] Rise of the Empire era^[4] Rebellion era^[5] New Republic era New Jedi Order era Legacy era^[1]
Affiliation	Galactic Republic^[4] Galactic Empire^[5] Order of the Sith Lords New Republic Yuuzhan Vong Empire Galactic Federation of Free Alliances Fel Empire Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire One Sith Galactic Federation Triumvirate

[Source]

"There's talk in the Senate about building a palace to house Palpatine, his advisers, and the Imperial Guard."
"And statues."

―Mon Mothma and Bail Organa^[src]

The Imperial Palace, originally known as the Presidential Palace or Palace of the Republic, was a massive complex of buildings located in the Palace District of Coruscant, an ancillary of the Senate District. Originally built as a residence for the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic Senate, the Palace also served as an office building, complementing the delegation offices of the Senate Building. Following the election of Chancellor Palpatine, the Republic Executive Building was erected in the Legislative Borough to accommodate overflow from the Palace.

Following the catastrophic Clone Wars, Chancellor Palpatine eradicated the Jedi Order and declared the reforming of the Republic into the Galactic Empire and renaming the Palace as the Imperial Palace. Expanding the complex significantly, Emperor Palpatine created a labyrinthine maze inside the pyramidal structure and confined himself to his throne room for most of his reign. Following the death of the Emperor and the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War the Palace was taken by the New Republic and raided, with most functionaries inside being killed in the firefight. After the Palace was secured the New Republic used it as the residence of the Chief of State and maintained a large governmental presence in the building. Despite attempts to rename the building the Capitol or Republic House, or its former title of Presidential Palace, Imperial Palace remained its primary title.

After surviving several regime changes and millennium of use the Palace was severely damaged during the fall of Coruscant during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of the galaxy. While several levels were obliterated during the battle, the Galactic Alliance retook Coruscant and the Palace shortly after the end of the war and began the slow process of removing all remnants of the invaders on the uppermost levels of Coruscant's towers. Several decades later the Imperial Remnant, under the command of Emperor Roan Fel, retook the capital and reoccupied the Palace. Not long after the Imperial conquest, the reborn Sith Empire betrayed the Empire which had aligned with it and deposed Fel. As Darth Krayt took over the Empire, he used the Palace as his temporary throne as construction finished up on the nearby Temple of the Sith.

1 History
2 Structure and features
3 Palace security
4 Behind the scenes
5 Appearances
6 Sources
7 Notes and references
- 7.1 In other languages

HistoryEdit

Galactic RepublicEdit

Constructed by the Galactic Republic on the capital world Coruscant during the institution's earlier years, the massive complex known as the Presidential Palace was famed across the stars, earning a place on famed historian Vicendi's list of the Twenty Wonders of the Galaxy in 10,000 BBY.^[6] Serving as the formal residence of the Supreme Chancellor for multiple millennium, the Presidential Palace also was a working office for many who served in the Galactic Senate.^[4]

During the administration of Chancellor Finis Valorum from 40-32 BBY, the summit office of the central tower served as his residence; Valorum used the area as a retreat from his busier schedule at the Rotunda's working office and often met with advisers and those close to him at the Palace rather than amid the hustle and bustle.^[7] When Palpatine of Naboo ascended to the office of Chancellor, he distanced himself from the Palace and the traditional offices reserved for the Chanceller. Instead Palpatine ordered the construction of the Republic Executive Building to serve as an annex to the Senate Rotunda and to take up overflow from the Palace.^[8] Instead of residing in the Palace, Palpatine took up an apartment suite in 500 Republica, a stately spire overlooking the Senate District.^[9]

Galactic EmpireEdit

Following the Clone Wars, a bloody war orchestrated by Chancellor Palpatine's alter-ego Darth Sidious, the Jedi Order was disbanded and the Republic reorganized into the Galactic Empire. Declaring himself Emperor, Palpatine removed himself from public affairs and cloistered himself in an audience chamber atop the newly christened Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center.^[10] Using the facility as a temporary base, the Emperor ordered the refurbishment of the stately governmental Palace nearer to the Senate Building, drastically rebuilding the structure until it became the tallest building on the planet.^[11]

Taking up residence in the Palace, Emperor Palpatine remained isolated at the heart of the massive pyramid, scarcely wandering far and rarely appearing in public. Despite Palpatine isolationism the rest of the Palace bustled constantly with activity, from dignitaries to Senators, ambassadors and generals, Darth Vader and the mysterious and anonymous Emperor's Hands.

In the wake of the death of the Emperor at the climatic battle over the Sanctuary Moon of Endor the Imperials residing in the Palace were subject to a power vacuum of those vying for the title of Emperor. As Grand Vizier Sate Pestage declared himself interim Emperor, Director of Imperial Intelligence Ysanne Isard began to position herself for ascension to the throne. At the Palace, a black veil covered the vacant ceremonial throne during Pestage's rule as to maintain appropriate decorum following the Emperor's death. As Pestage plotted, Isard secretly held Emperor's Hand Mara Jade in the dungeons of the Palace and allowed Pestage to feed her information about the mysterious aide to the Emperor.^[12]

Deciding that Jade was too great a threat to be an ally, Isard ordered the Hand to be brainwashed into giving Isard secrets about the Empire that she was not previously aware of. During the process the Emperor's Hand used a mind trick to have her interrogator release her and allow her access to a computer terminal. Isard's men detected this immediately, and she personally began to track Jade through the labyrinthine Palace. Assisted by tech specialist Tal Burren, they eventually realized Jade was in Isard's personal office, but by the time they arrived, she was gone. The Emperor's Hand had stolen one of Isard's datapads with high level security clearance, and was using it to travel through the building unhindered. Jade had left them many false leads, ordering dozens of shuttles to various docking bays; Jade ultimately escaped, something which Isard took personally.^[12]

New RepublicEdit

As the Empire crumbled, the New Republic thrust forward, openly attacking Coruscant and attempting to rout all Imperials on the world. As the fighting drew to a crescendo, Republic forces shelled the Palace, one of the last vestiges of Imperial might on the world. With the Palace's defenses weakened, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker led Republic troops to the Palace, defeating General Tal Ashen's Elite Force in the process. Marching into the Palace, Skywalker and his troops stormed the entire complex, killing off the last of the remaining Imperial Guards and releasing Imperial-held prisoners-of-war. When the Palace was secured and the fighting died down, the Republic forces detained the surviving Imperial officials and functionaries; all of whom were lynched by Republic soldiers.^[13]

As Coruscant regained a sense of normalcy, the New Republic began to set-up its Senate and other government agencies on the planet. Using the existing infrastructure, the government took up residence in the Imperial Palace; making significant changes to its exterior, largely to remove damaged structures and repair those areas that were still habitable. The formal residence of the Chief of State, the Palace served as the primary office building for members of the Senate in addition to offices still kept at the Rotunda. Because of the negative connotation associated with the Palace's Imperial name, Republic dignitaries attempted to adopt the title Republic House, even simply calling it Capitol. Despite many attempts, these efforts fell short and the Imperial title remained.

Under the administration of Chief Borsk Fey'lya an extra-galactic race known as the Yuuzhan Vong began a campaign of conquest and destruction across known space. During this time every being about the Imperial Palace was in a constant flutter to process reports of the last world to fall to the invaders. On one occasion young Finn Galfridian, a Padawan of Master Skywalker's reconstructed Jedi Order, forced his way past the Senate Guards and into the Palace in an attempt to warn Chief Fey'lya of an assassination attempt which has been foreseen by his tutor, Dray. Attacked by the Imperial ambassador, Yarmond, before he could get to the Bothan, Galfridian was able to deduce that Yarmond was actually the Yuuzhan Vong assassin.^[14]

When the Jedi regained consciousness in the confines of a prison cell he was interrogated by Chief Fey'lya despite several attempts to explain himself. Unwilling to believe the Jedi, Fey'lya stormed out of the chamber, unknowingly leaving Galfridian alone to be freed by Dray and his droid Prowl. Agreeing that Fey'lya, despite his temper and belligerence, needed to be saved, the group split up; while Dray hunted down Yarmond, Galfridian would retrieve his lightsaber and other personal belongings.^[15]

Finn and Prowl returned to the Imperial palace to retrieve his goggles and lightsaber. To cause a distraction Prowl fired an explosive blast, however the guards found Finn anyway. Finn tried to use a Jedi mind trick on the Guard Captain Kopri, but her will was too strong. Finn realized there was no way to come across innocent so he ordered Prowl to cause a diversion. Prowl fired again and Finn used the distraction to Force break the door open. Before he could enter the palace, Kopri confronted him again. Finn told her that he wasn't an assassin but Kopri shot him and Finn fell off the walkway, but managed to grab onto its bottom. After the guards left to search for Prowl, Finn jumped back up and ran into the palace. Once inside Finn found his gear and eavesdropped on Borsk and Admiral Bylsma. Byslma was trying to convince Borsk that the Yuuzhan Vong were going to attack Shramar, but Borsk dismissed the Admiral's concern as Yarmond, Shramar's ambassador, told him that the problem was the Artorian refugees Shramar had accepted. Bylsma pleaded to Borsk that thousands of refugees would die but Borsk told the admiral it was a regional concern, and with that Finn ignited his lightsaber.^[16]

The Imperial Palace was destroyed during the Fall of Coruscant. With the Palace under siege, Borsk Fey'lya detonated a suicide bomb in his office. The resulting explosion killed Fey'lya and 25,000 Yuuzhan Vong warriors, and much of the Palace was destroyed. Supreme Overlord Shimrra would later locate his citadel near the remains of the Palace.

Return of the SithEdit

Although it was damaged, the palace survived the Yuuzhan Vong War.^[6] By 130 ABY, Roan Fel's Coruscant throne room was located in a pyramidal structure similar in appearance to the old Palace; presumably, if not a rebuilt Imperial Palace, the new building was constructed to resemble it. The headquarters of the Fel Empire following the defeat of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances during the Sith-Imperial War. It was the replacement of the Old Imperial Palace, since the first was destroyed by the Yuuzhan Vong during the war.

The Palace was a tall, pyramidal structure presumably located in the Palace District/Senate District. It contained the throne room of the Emperor, a large open-air chamber with a repulsorlift throne at the far end.

It was in this audience chamber that the final report of the Sith-Imperial War was delivered in 130 ABY by Grand Admiral Morlish Veed and the Moff Council. However, Darth Krayt interrupted the meeting and slew the Emperor and his Imperial Knights. Krayt then proclaimed himself the new Emperor, taking the Palace as his own. It transpired that Roan Fel had not been slain, but had used a decoy in his place. Fel established himself on Bastion, preparing for the day when he could retake the Imperial Palace.

It contained the Skull Squadron Hangar as well as the Moff Council meeting rooms and Morlish Veed's private office.

Structure and featuresEdit

Imperial Palace looked like a hybrid of a cathedral and a monumental pyramid, and bore much resemblance to a Sith Temple. Palpatine's redesigned palace had a total height of three kilometers, and over two square kilometers in area^[17], making it the tallest and largest building on Coruscant. Beneath the structure of the Palace were a series of chambers that held the Imperial Information Center. There was also a facility used to train Emperor's Hands. One of its close outbuildings was the ambassadorial habitation pyramid.^[17]

Palatial balcony Palpatine parades viewingStar Wars Adventure Journal 5

The Palace was made of polished gray-green rock and mirrored crystals. Even at night, the Palace never grew dark since blazing illumination from phosphorescent panels, glowspheres, and electroluminescence strips kept the structure in a shower of blazing light. The Palpatine Gardens were located on the grounds of the Palace.

The Grand Corridor, its centerpiece, featured high ceilings and cutglass windows. Designed by the Emperor himself, it was said to have open areas large enough to accommodate a Victory-class Star Destroyer.

Lining the main chamber were ch'hala trees, which would continuously change color at sound vibrations. These trees were part of a spy system used by Emperor Palpatine, and later, Grand Admiral Thrawn, known as Delta Source. Above the Grand Corridor were cafes situated on balconies with a view of the busy streets below.

The Imperial Palace had its own Senate Chamber that resembled the old Senate Building. It had six hundred, six-person repulsorlift booths outlined in crimson upholstery.

Ninety-fifth floor pg 66 Jedi Twilight

All of the residential floors of the Palace contained extensive libraries. Guests were housed within the President's Guests floor, which had previously been part of the Palace of the Republic that had been absorbed by the larger Palace structure. The Guest Floor was done in hand carved Fijisi wood.

During the New Republic era, the quarters of the Chief of State were located deep within the Palace core, and its "windows" were actually holographic screens, showing panoramic views taken by cameras outside. In 26 ABY, Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker lived in an apartment in the Palace.

The Palace contained over twenty thousand rooms and chambers in fifty connected structures. The people who worked there were expected to have a comlink at all times, because it was so easy to get lost. There were multiple tales of people getting lost in the Palace and never being seen again, and at least one, Frona Zeffla, died at her desk and was not found for at least one standard year.

It is possible that Palpatine or other high-ranking Imperials covered up unofficial executions as similar disappearances, but those theories were never confirmed. Emperor Palpatine was also said to have encouraged children of workers to play Hunter, a hide and seek like game, while their parents were working. Some games were said to have lasted for days.

Director of Imperial Intelligence Ysanne Isard's office was located in the Palace, as was a small Intelligence prison complex.

Numerous architectural styles and design motifs could be found all over the Palace. In some areas, the structure was open and airy, with much illumination and transparisteel while others were dark with carved friezes on the ceiling. The walls of the Palace were made from cortosis, and its flooring included Wayland marble tiles.

At the highest tower of the Imperial Palace was the Emperor's throne room. It was a sunken auditorium, similar to a large crater, dug into bedrock. On the audience decks, there were flat stone benches arranged in long arcs, where visitors could come to hear any pronouncements from the Emperor himself.

What was unique about this chamber was that the audience could hear everything the Emperor said; the Emperor was also able to hear anything said to him from the audience decks. The slanted ceiling of the room was surrounded by gigantic purple and red Imperial banners. At the pinnacle of the throne room was an angled, prismatic skylight that poured rays of light onto Emperor Palpatine in his seat. Situated around the bottom of the tower at all times were six Emperor's Royal Guards protecting the Emperor.

In the Main Hall of the palace, there was a hanging painting of Padmé Amidala, as a sign of the recognition and respect of her services to the Galactic Republic that Palpatine publicly maintained.

This was Emperor Palpatine's favorite throne room, as well as the most important one. The throne room was located on the highest tower of the Imperial Palace, overlooking all of Coruscant.

There was a blast-shielded war room located in the middle of the second floor. Adjacent to the war room was the Crypt, a computer slicing and decoding area. One wing of the palace contained a medical area, which under the New Republic was used to accommodate water-loving Mon Calamari. The wing resembled a coral reef, and an enclosed pool containing protoplasmic glurpfish and other sea life.

An information center for tourists was located on one of the decks that jutted out from the Palace during the time of the New Republic. Brochure droids and sculptures that had been fitted with speakers were used to allow tourists to access information regarding shuttle departure times, lodgings, eating establishments, and guided tours.

The Imperial Palace also included treasuries (including one treasury said to have been built by the legendary "pirate general" Toleph-Sor and hidden vaults containing Jedi and Sith artifacts), pavilions, prisons, music rooms, and both summer and winter quarters. It also had a private aviary of hawk-bats, so that the Emperor and selected guests could have hawk-bat meat or eggs at their leisure.

Palace securityEdit

During the Imperial era, the Palace was guarded by a regiment of stormtroopers, as well as the Emperor's Royal Guard and Imperial Intelligence operatives. However, Palace security was independent of the Coruscant Security Force, the head of which had no jurisdiction over the Palace.

Behind the scenesEdit

The Imperial Palace was first introduced, along with the rest of Coruscant, in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire novel, though its origins date back to rough drafts of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Some fans have gained the erroneous impression that the Palace was seen in the scene of the Coruscant Uprising in the re-released version of Return of the Jedi, but the Palace has, in fact, never appeared in any of the films.

Some depictions of the Imperial Palace are non-pyramidal in shape, including the palaces shown in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Star Wars: Empire at War, Star Wars: Rebellion, Star Wars: Force Commander, Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II. These depictions may either be non-canonical, or simply depict one of the structures in the Palace complex other than the main pyramid. The "palace" that appears in Star Wars: Dark Times would be the building Palpatine inhabited while the actual palace was under construction, since those scenes take place within a few weeks to a few months after the events in "Revenge of the Sith."

It's interesting that some of the latest incarnations of the Imperial Palace seem to depict the non-pyramidal skyscraper like version with a likeness to the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center building seen in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Most skyscraper versions seem to occur between Episodes III & IV. This perhaps suggests that later structures were added around the original tower to make it become a pyramid by the time of the events of Shadows of the Empire.