Castle Black

Castle Black is the primary headquarters and redoubt of the Night's Watch. It is located roughly halfway along the length of the Wall on its southern side.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Castle Black is located at the northern end of the Kingsroad, which runs for some two thousand miles all the way to King's Landing. Castle Black is ancient, although not the oldest castle on the Wall, an honour that lies with the long-abandoned Nightfort. Castle Black consists of a number of large structures, and in past centuries has held as many as 5,000 warriors. At the start of the books less than 600 soldiers are based there. Castle Black is defended by the Wall to the north, but is undefended to the east, west and south, to symbolise the Night's Watch being only a threat to the wildlings of the uttermost north, not the other realms of the Seven Kingdoms. Castle Black is only one of three castles permanantly manned, the others being the Shadow Tower at the far western end of the Wall and Eastwatch-by-the-Sea at the far eastern end. Aside from these three castles there are sixteen other castles along the length of the Wall, all currently unmanned due to lack of manpower.

There is both a winch-driven lift and a switchback stairway that permit members of the Watch to reach the top of the Wall.

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, First Ranger Benjen Stark, blacksmith Donal Noye, master at arms Ser Alliser Thorne and Maester Aemon are amongst Castle Black's residents.

Behind the scenes
A significantly-sized castle set is being built at Magheramorne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in a former quarry. The set will include several structures and a fully-working wooden lift system, although the Wall and much of the scenery will be added later with CGI.