Theed Royal Palace/Legends

Theed Royal Palace was an architectural wonder that sat on the edge of a cliff in Naboo's capital city, Theed. It was here where the Monarch of Naboo resided.

Characteristics
The palace, with a number of towers and turrets, served as the planet's capitol building. It was the largest building in Theed, and was centuries old by the time of the Invasion of Naboo. Its lavish, hand-crafted suites were used to entertain Republic dignitaries from other worlds. The elected monarch would govern from the palace throne room and hold meetings of state with the Naboo Royal Advisory Council as well.

The Turret Room
It was traditional for newly elected monarchs to add a new tower or turret to the palace. King Veruna established a massive royal library during his thirteen-year reign. The turret room was constructed by King Jafan, the first monarch of the Great Time of Peace. It was a lavish set of chambers, designed to entertain visiting dignitaries and was used by the Jedi High Council at the time of Qui-Gon Jinn's funeral in 32 BBY. The chambers were connected to a small temple where the acting monarch would go to pay tribute to past rulers.

The Throne Room
The current monarch ruled Naboo from the throne room. It was an elegant marble room consisting of a throne, a large desk for the monarch, and chairs set out for the Royal Advisory Council and the handmaidens. The room had large, paned windows, and could be reached either by sliding doors or a set of stairs. Sometime before the Invasion of Naboo, the throne was fit with a secret compartment containing blasters. This compartment was pivotal in the Battle of Naboo, when Queen Amidala used the concealed blasters to take Viceroy Gunray hostage.

Palace Plaza
The main entrance of the palace opened upon the Palace Plaza. It was a grand, open avenue where celebrations often took place. Opposite the palace, the Triumphal Arch led to the Palace Courtyard, which featured a circular central area, encircled by a shallow moat which could be crossed by a stately bridge. It's many fountains, plants and walkways were enjoyed by many dignitaries. Senator Amidala's office was in one of the buildings enclosing the plaza.

History


In 32 BBY, during the First Battle of Theed, Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray assumed control of Naboo from Queen Amidala and set the throne room as his own. The Queen was sent to a detention camp, but she escaped with the help of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. They made their way to the Royal Hangar where they used the Queen's Royal Starship to leave the planet. After Amidala plead her case to the Senate but was denied help, she returned in the Second Battle of Theed to retake the palace. Amidala and her forces entered through the Theed Hangar. She planned to go straight to the palace, but Darth Maul blocked that pathway, and she was forced to take a longer route while the Jedi accompanying her fought Maul.

The Queen and her troops were stopped by battle droids, and Captain Panaka shot out a nearby window, and, along with Amidala and several troops, used an ascension gun to scale the palace walls, although they were then captured by the Trade Federation. Once inside the throne room, and after a distraction provided by Sabé, Padmé used blasters concealed in the throne to take out the remaining battle droids. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were dueling Maul in the Theed Generator Complex, where Maul and Qui-Gon were both killed. After the battle, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi Council were received in the Palace Courtyard, and the Neimoidian leaders of the Trade Federation were shipped to Coruscant. Qui-Gon Jinn's funeral was held in the Turret Room, and later a parade was held in the Palace Plaza celebrating the freedom of Naboo, and the joining of the Naboo and Gungan peoples.

After Amidala's two terms were up, a new election took place, and Queen Jamillia succeeded Amidala and took up residence in the palace. In 22 BBY, Padmé Amidala, now senator of Naboo came to the palace to discuss the Separatist movement and her own safety with Jamillia.

Behind the scenes
The interior scenes in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones were shot in the Caserta Palace near Naples.

The exterior design was directly inspired by the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, California which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The building features round designs set into the hillside with characteristic blue domed roofs. Scenes from THX-1138 and Gattaca were also filmed there.

In the video game Jedi Power Battles, Theed Palace and the Theed Palace hangar are directly connected by a spiral stairwell that leads off the Throne Room, contradicting several other sources.

Appearances

 * The Monster
 * A Summer's Dream
 * Cloak of Deception
 * Queen in Disguise
 * The Queen's Amulet
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace novel
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace comic
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace junior novel
 * Episode I: Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles
 * Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones comic
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones junior novel
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * The Clone Wars: The Valley
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * The Last of the Jedi: Death on Naboo
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * The Last of the Jedi: Death on Naboo
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Non-canon appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: I Am a Queen
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga