Skyrim:Whiterun

This article is about the city. For the hold, see Whiterun Hold.

Whiterun
Whiterun in Whiterun Hold (view on map)
WhiterunOrigin
Government
Dragonsreach Guard Barracks Guard Barracks (Gate)
Inns
The Bannered Mare The Drunken Huntsman
Shops and Services
Arcadia's Cauldron Belethor's General Goods Honningbrew Meadery Warmaiden's Whiterun Stables
Guilds and Temples
Hall of the Dead Jorrvaskr Temple of Kynareth
Houses
Amren's House Battle-Born Farm Breezehome (for sale) Carlotta Valentia's House Chillfurrow Farm Heimskr's House House Gray-Mane House of Clan Battle-Born Olava the Feeble's House Pelagia Farm Severio Pelagia's House Uthgerd's House Ysolda's House

Whiterun

Whiterun is a major city located in the center of Skyrim, to the northwest of the Throat of the World, the highest mountain on the entire continent of Tamriel.

The capital of Whiterun Hold, Whiterun's central location makes it the province's major commercial hub.

Its central location also makes it a crucial strategic point in the Civil War between the Imperial Legion loyalists and Stormcloak rebels, as control of Whiterun Hold grants access to all the surrounding areas. Initially, Whiterun is nominally aligned with The Empire, but the Jarl, Balgruuf the Greater, seems to care more about the people of Whiterun than either side of the conflict, and so the hold is effectively neutral.

Whiterun comprises three districts arranged in tiers and connected by stairways. The Plains District is the lowest and contains all the shops, the city's marketplace, inns, and a few homes as well at the city gates. The Wind District is the main residential area; its more important buildings include the Temple of Kynareth and Jorrvaskr, headquarters of the Companions. The Cloud District is the location of Dragonsreach and is the highest point in Whiterun.

Local businesses and services in Whiterun include: the Warmaiden's smithy and weapons store, The Drunken Huntsman tavern and hunting supply store, Belethor's General Goods store, the Arcadia's Cauldron alchemy store and The Bannered Mare inn. The Jarl's Palace, Dragonsreach, is the center of political matters and law enforcement, housing Dragonsreach Dungeon below. The Jarl's court wizard Farengar Secret-Fire also resides here and has spells and enchanting supplies for sale. He can also teach you the basics of enchanting.

The Companions are based in Whiterun, as the city itself was established and expanded around their mead hall, Jorrvaskr. The Skyforge is worked by the greatest blacksmith in Skyrim, Eorlund Gray-Mane, who forges weapons and armor for the Companions. This ancient forge predates even Jorrvaskr and is said by Eorlund to produce the finest steel found anywhere in Tamriel.

For more information about Whiterun, see the lore article. Skyrim:Whiterun People

Player Owned House

• Breezehome is a house available for purchase upon completion of the Bleak Falls Barrow Quest. It may be purchased from Proventus Avenicci for 5000 gold, as a reward for retrieving the Dragonstone for Jarl Balgruuf's court mage, Farengar Secret-Fire. If it is not purchased at this point, and Whiterun is conquered by the Stormcloaks, it may be purchased from Brill as a reward for helping the Stormcloaks conquer Whiterun.

Quests Starting Here

Main Quest

• Bleak Falls Barrow
• Dragon Rising
• The Way of the Voice

Daedric

• The Whispering Door

Other

• The Blessings of Nature
• In My Time Of Need
• Missing In Action

Map

1 2 3 4 5 6 5 7 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 18 17 19 20 21 22 19 21 22 23 24 Map of Whiterun

Dragonsreach Jarl's Quarters Dragonsreach Dungeon Dragonsreach Hall of the Dead House of Clan Battle-Born Skyforge Temple of Kynareth Amren's House Jorrvaskr Carlotta Valentia's House Uthgerd's House House Gray-Mane Heimskr's House Guard Barracks The Drunken Huntsman Severio Pelagia's House The Bannered Mare Skyrim Warmaiden's Breezehome Belethor's General Goods Arcadia's Cauldron Olava the Feeble's House Ysolda's House

• Each white dot (or pog) corresponds directly to a door. All doors are numbered and relate to a Key on the side of the map.

Bugs

• If you sprint as soon as you fast travel to Whiterun, the game may freeze.
• If Whiterun is taken by the Stormcloaks, two guards will spawn on the left side of the main gate instead of one on either side.
  • PC Only This bug is fixed by version 2.0.0 of the Unofficial Skyrim Patch.
• It is possible to leave the city without using the main gate by jumping on a barrel and over a wall near the gate.