Palace Courtyard/Legends



The Palace Courtyard, also known as the Grand Plaza, was an area of Theed on Naboo that fronted the Palace Plaza leading directly to the Theed Royal Palace. It was built over a part of the city that was severely bombed during the Trade Federation invasion and occupation in 32 BBY.

The courtyard featured a central walkway spanning a circular area surrounded by a shallow moat crossed by hump-backed bridges. Around the perimeter of the courtyard were trees, fountains and a circular colonnade, featuring a holographic frieze of the planet's greatest philosophers and artists. The courtyard was six hundred meters in diameter, and its walkway was often used for royal occasions and ceremonies.

In the months prior to the Clone Wars, migrant workers staged protests over their work conditions in the Palace Courtyard, and were forcibly removed by Theed police. Upon their arrival on Naboo prior to the Battle of Geonosis, Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker took a speeder bus from Theed Spaceport to the Palace Courtyard, and proceeded on to an audience with Queen Jamillia in the Royal Palace.

Behind the scenes
There are some considerable discrepancies as to the location and construction date of the Palace Courtyard. Attack of the Clones seems to imply the area directly fronts the Royal Palace, and has been built over the former Palace Plaza. However, as seen in Return of the Jedi, and even more clearly in the final scene of The Phantom Menace (ie, after the occupation has ended) the Plaza still exists. Further adding to the confusion, Inside the Worlds of Attack of the Clones states the courtyard was built following the Battle of Naboo, whereas The Official Star Wars Fact File claims it has been in use for centuries. Further, Inside the Worlds of Star Wars Episode I states Theed suffered very little structural damage during the battle.

Palace Courtyard was built to the south-west of Theed Palace over the former Parnelli Museum of Art site, presumably destroyed during the Federation/Naboo war of 32BBY. The circular courtyard does not affect the site of the straight Palace Plaza or it's arches as this is directly south of the palace. The Plaza is unnaffected by the Courtyard and the Plaza can still be seen in final scene of the most recent versions of Return Of The Jedi.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones