The Great Palace is the seventh and final Dungeon of The Adventure of Link.[1] It is the resting place of the Triforce of Courage.[2] Link seeks to enter the palace to claim the relic and unite it with its two counterparts, the Triforce of Power and the Triforce of Wisdom, in order to awaken a cursed Princess Zelda from an eternal slumber cast upon her an age before by an evil magician. After succeeding in lifting the "Binding Force" cast over the Valley of Death in the central section of Hyrule by restoring six crystals to their respective statues in six other palaces found across the land, Link is able to enter the palace in search of the final Triforce piece. Within the walls of the immense palace, Link is faced with his greatest challenges yet from some of the fiercest enemies he has encountered such as the very powerful guardian of the palace, the mighty Thunderbird, and shortly thereafter faces his own shadow to win possession of the Triforce of Courage from an old man that resides in the palace.
History[]
Link battles his own shadow as his final test within the final chamber of the Great Palace
The origins of the Great Palace are unclear, such as who built it or when it was built exactly. The palace is introduced in the backstory of The Adventure of Link, which reveals that there was once a wise King of Hyrule that ruled over a golden age for the kingdom of Hyrule with the united Triforce at his command.[3] Before he passed away, the King decided to hide the Triforce of Courage in the Great Palace, located at the head of the Valley of Death in Eastern Hyrule.[4] The King crafted both a guardian for the palace as well as a final test for the one that would enter the palace in search of the missing piece of the Triforce.[5][6] Here the relic would remain, resting in the deepest sanctum of the palace, awaiting the time when a worthy person would come in search of it.
After Link shows Impa the Triforce mark that appeared on his hand, the nursemaid hands him an ancient scroll and six mysterious crystals which he must place in the six palaces scattered throughout Hyrule. Once all of the crystals are in place, the barrier protecting the entrance to the Great Palace will lift, allowing Link to enter it and defeat its boss, Thunderbird. Link then proceeds to fight his own shadow and, upon its defeat, an Old Man will allow the young hero to retrieve the Triforce of Courage which would be used to awaken the sleeping Princess Zelda.
Entrance to the Palace[]
The palace is found at the end of the lengthy Valley of Death, whose starting point is in the graveyard south of Old Kasuto, and ends southwest of Eastern Hyrule.
[]
The entrance of the Great Palace.
Link duels the Thunderbird in one of the most opulent chambers of the Great Palace.
The Great Palace utterly dwarfs the size of any dungeon Link has seen throughout his entire adventure (and even his previous adventure for that matter). With its winding passageways, multiple levels and treacherous lava pits, it truly proves to be the ultimate test of the hero's wit and his worthiness to take possession of the Triforce of Courage. The palace was built using cream-colored blocks and pillars, as well as cream-colored blocks that were meant to obstruct passage to its inner sanctums that could be destroyed with a mere swipe of Link's sword. The palace was built into the head of the Valley of Death and extends several stories beneath the surface, necessitating the use of several elevators at times to travel to the deepest parts of the palace where its biggest challenges await.
Many dissolving bridges are shown to have been built across the many lava pits within the palace as well. It appears to be semi-decorated on the interior as well, as many decorative curtains and statues appear within the palace's walls. It is also possible to start from the entrance of the Great Palace if Link is killed by pushing "Continue", making it so he does not have to trek back through the difficult terrain to reach the Great Palace if he continues.[7]
Minor Enemies and Traps[]
Trivia[]
- This is the only location in The Adventure of Link where Link does not spawn back at the North Castle after all lives are lost. Instead, selecting continue will spawn Link at the entrance of the Great Palace.
- This is the only Dungeon in the game Link can enter at night.
- Like the Tower of the Gods in The Wind Waker, the palace is used to test the courage of potential heroes.
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features a remixed version of this dungeon's background theme.
Nomenclature[]
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 | Japanese | 大神殿 (Dai Shinden)[8] | Great Sanctuary/Temple |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | |||
Gallery[]
Full-size map of the Great Palace
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 146
- ↑ "The Triforce of Courage is hidden in the Great Palace in the Valley of Death on the largest island in Hyrule." (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 10)
- ↑ "It is said that long ago, when Hyrule was one country, a great ruler maintained the peace in Hyrule using the Triforce." (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 6)
- ↑ "Of the three, I have left Power and Wisdom in the kingdom. But the Triforce of Courage I have hidden for a reason. Not everybody can use the Triforce. It requires a strong character with no evil thoughts. But an inborn special quality is also necessary. Unfortunately, I have not found such a person during my lifetime. Therefore, I have decided to cast a spell on all of Hyrule. A crest will appear on a young man with that character who has been brought up correctly, has gained many kinds of experiences and reached a certain age. But, what will happen if someone else uses the Triforce before then? If it is misused, it will produce many evils." (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 9–10)
- ↑ "The enemies in the Palace are those that were made and chosen by the King. They're abnormally strong." (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 38)
- ↑ "An iron warrior chosen by the King. A strong enemy who can use a shield and a sword. He exists in many forms." (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 38)
- ↑ "After Link undoes the "binding force" of the Great Palace and enters there, you can restart from the entrance of the Great Palace if you press CONTINUE even if the game is over." (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 40)
- ↑ The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 14
Dungeons in The Legend of Zelda series
Parapa Palace · Midoro Palace · Island Palace · Maze Island Palace
Palace on the Sea · Three-Eye Rock Palace 
· Great Palace
Light World
Sewer Passageway · Eastern Palace · Desert Palace · Tower of Hera · Hyrule Castle Tower
Dark World
Palace of Darkness · Swamp Palace · Skull Woods · Thieves' Town (Dungeon) · Ice Palace · Misery Mire (Dungeon) · Turtle Rock · Ganon's Tower
Palace of the Four Sword
Main Dungeons
Tail Cave · Bottle Grotto · Key Cavern · Angler's Tunnel · Catfish's Maw · Face Shrine · Eagle's Tower · Turtle Rock · Wind Fish's Egg
Mini-Dungeons
Moblin Cave · Kanalet Castle · Ancient Ruins
Optional Dungeons
Color Dungeon (LADX | LANS) · Chamber Dungeon (LANS)
Child Dungeons
Inside the Deku Tree · Dodongo's Cavern · Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly
Adult Dungeons'
Forest Temple · Fire Temple · Water Temple · Shadow Temple · Spirit Temple · Ganon's Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Woodfall Temple · Snowhead Temple · Great Bay Temple · Stone Tower Temple
Mini-Dungeons
Swamp Spider House · Pirates' Fortress · Oceanside Spider House · Beneath the Well · Ancient Castle of Ikana
Moon Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Spirit's Grave · Wing Dungeon · Moonlit Grotto · Skull Dungeon · Crown Dungeon · Mermaid's Cave · Jabu-Jabu's Belly · Ancient Tomb · Black Tower (Turret) · Room of Rites(OoS | OoA)
Mini-Dungeons
Maku Road · Great Moblin's Keep · Ambi's Palace · Black Tower (Rescue Zelda) · Hero's Cave
Main Dungeons
Gnarled Root Dungeon · Snake's Remains · Poison Moth's Lair · Dancing Dragon Dungeon · Unicorn's Cave · Ancient Ruins · Explorer's Crypt · Sword & Shield Maze · Onox's Castle · Room of Rites(OoS | OoA)
Mini-Dungeons
Chambers of Insight · Sea of Trees · Talus Cave · Death Mountain · Vaati's Palace
Anniversary Edition
Main Dungeons
Forsaken Fortress · Dragon Roost Cavern · Forbidden Woods · Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple · Wind Temple · Ganon's Tower
Mini-Dungeons
Whereabouts of the Wind — Lake Hylia · Cave of No Return · Hyrule Castle
Eastern Hyrule — The Coast · Village of the Blue Maiden · Eastern Temple
Death Mountain — Death Mountain Foothills · The Mountain Path · Tower of Flames
Near the Fields — The Field · The Swamp · Infiltration of Hyrule Castle
The Dark World — Lost Woods · Kakariko Village (Four Swords Adventures) · Temple of Darkness
Desert of Doubt — Desert of Doubt · Desert Temple · Pyramid
Frozen Hyrule — Frozen Hyrule · Temple of Ice · Tower of Winds
Realm of the Heavens — Realm of the Heavens · The Dark Cloud · Palace of Winds
Main Dungeons
Deepwood Shrine · Cave of Flames · Fortress of Winds · Temple of Droplets · Palace of Winds · Dark Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Forest Temple · Goron Mines · Lakebed Temple · Arbiter's Grounds · Snowpeak Ruins
Temple of Time · City in the Sky · Palace of Twilight · Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Lantern Caverns · Cave of Ordeals · Cave of Shadows (TPHD)
Dungeons
Temple of Fire · Temple of Wind · Temple of Courage · Ghost Ship · Goron Temple · Temple of Ice · Mutoh's Temple
Master Dungeon
Dungeons
Forest Temple · Snow Temple · Ocean Temple · Fire Temple · Sand Temple
Master Dungeon
Mini-Dungeon
Lost at Sea Station · Tunnel to the Tower · Take 'Em All On!
Main Dungeons
Skyview Temple · Earth Temple · Lanayru Mining Facility · Ancient Cistern · Sandship · Fire Sanctuary · Sky Keep
Mini-Dungeons
Hyrule
Eastern Palace · Tower of Hera · House of Gales · Inside Hyrule Castle
Desert Palace
Lorule
Ice Ruins · Swamp Palace · Thieves' Hideout · Dark Palace
Skull Woods · Turtle Rock · Lorule Castle
Woodlands — Deku Forest (Level) · Buzz Blob Cave · Moblin Base · Forest Temple
Riverside — Secret Fortress · Abyss of Agony · Cove of Transition · Water Temple
Volcano — Blazing Trail · Hinox Mine · Den of Flames · Fire Temple
Ice Cavern — Frozen Plateau · Snowball Ravine · Silver Shrine · Ice Temple
Fortress — Sealed Gateway · Bomb Storage · Training Ground · The Lady's Lair
The Dunes — Infinity Dunes · Stone Corridors · Gibdo Mausoleum · Desert Temple
The Ruins — Illusory Mansion · Palace Noir · Lone Labyrinth · Grim Temple
Sky Realm — Floating Garden · Deception Castle · Dragon Citadel · Sky Temple
Forest Zone · Flooded Zone · Scorching Zone · Frozen Zone · Fortified Zone · Desert Zone · Shadow Zone · Baneful Zone
Main Dungeons
Divine Beast Vah Ruta · Divine Beast Vah Rudania · Divine Beast Vah Medoh · Divine Beast Vah Naboris · Hyrule Castle · Final Trial (TCB)
Mini-Dungeons
Trial of the Sword (TMT ) · Yiga Clan Hideout
Ancient Shrines
Akh Va'quot ·
Bosh Kala ·
Chaas Qeta ·
Daag Chokah ·
Dagah Keek ·
Dah Kaso ·
Dah Hesho ·
Daka Tuss ·
Dako Tah ·
Daqa Koh ·
Daqo Chisay ·
Dila Maag ·
Dow Na'eh ·
Dunba Taag ·
Gee Ha'rah ·
Gorae Torr ·
Ha Dahamar ·
Hawa Koth ·
Hia Miu ·
Hila Rao ·
Ishto Soh ·
Ja Baij ·
Jee Noh ·
Jitan Sa'mi ·
Joloo Nah ·
Ka'o Makagh ·
Kaam Ya'tak ·
Kah Mael Shrine ·
Kah Okeo Shrine ·
Kah Yah Shrine ·
Kam Urog Shrine ·
Katah Chuki ·
Katosa Aug ·
Kay Noh ·
Kaya Wan ·
Kayra Mah ·
Ke'nai Shakah ·
Keeha Yoog ·
Keh Namut ·
Kema Kosassa ·
Kema Zoos ·
Keo Ruug ·
Ketoh Wawai ·
Korgu Chideh ·
Korsh O'hu ·
Kuh Takkar ·
Kuhn Sidajj ·
Lakna Rokee ·
Lanno Kooh ·
Maag Halan ·
Maag No'rah ·
Maka Rah ·
Mezza Lo ·
Mijah Rokee ·
Mirro Shaz ·
Misae Suma ·
Mo'a Keet ·
Mogg Latan ·
Monya Toma ·
Mozo Shenno ·
Muwo Jeem ·
Myahm Agana ·
Namika Ozz ·
Ne'ez Yohma ·
Noya Neha ·
Oman Au ·
Owa Daim ·
Pumaag Nitae ·
Qua Raym ·
Qaza Tokki ·
Qukah Nata ·
Raqa Zunzo ·
Ree Dahee ·
Rin Oyaa ·
Ritaag Zumo ·
Rok Uwog ·
Rona Kachta ·
Rota Ooh ·
Rucco Maag ·
Saas Ko'sah ·
Sah Dahaj ·
Sasa Kai ·
Sha Gehma ·
Sha Warvo ·
Shada Naw ·
Shae Katha ·
Shae Loya ·
Shae Mo'sah ·
Shai Utoh ·
Shai Yota ·
Shee Vaneer ·
Shee Venath ·
Sheem Dagoze ·
Sheh Rata ·
Sho Dantu ·
Shoda Sah ·
Shoqa Tatone ·
Shora Hah ·
Soh Kofi ·
Suma Sahma ·
Ta'loh Naeg ·
Tah Muhl ·
Tahno O'ah ·
Tawa Jinn ·
Tena Ko'sah ·
Tho Kayu ·
To Quomo ·
Toh Yahsa ·
Toto Sah ·
Tu Ka'loh ·
Tutsuwa Nima ·
Voo Lota ·
Wahgo Katta ·
Ya Naga ·
Yah Rin ·
Zalta Wa ·
Ze Kahso ·
Zuna Kai
Ancient Shrines (TCB)
Etsu Korima · Kamia Omuna · Kee Dafunia · Keive Tala · Kiah Toza · Kihiro Moh · Mah Eliya · Noe Rajee · Rinu Honika · Rohta Chigah · Ruvo Korbah · Sato Koda · Sharo Lun · Shira Gomar · Takama Shiri · Yowaka Ita
Main Dungeons
Wind Temple · Fire Temple · Water Temple · Lightning Temple · Hyrule Castle · Construct Factory · Gloom's Lair
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Suthorn Ruins · Jabul Ruins · Gerudo Sanctum · Hyrule Castle · Eldin Temple · Lanayru Temple · Faron Temple · Null's Body
Mini-Dungeons
Eastern Temple · Cryptic Cavern · Wrecked Ship · Hidden Ruins · Ancient Ruins
Level 1 — Ordon Target Practice · Gerudo Stalfos: Defender · Arbiter's Grounds: Ranger
Level 2 — Goron Target Practice · Zora River: Defender · Skull Shooting
Level 3 — Kakariko Target Practice · Fruit Balloons · The Great Bridge: Defender
Level 4 — Zora River Target Practice · Hyrule Castle: Defender · Skulltula Forest: Ranger
Level 5 — Oocca Target Practice · Gerudo Moldorm: Defender · The Shootout
Level 6 — Ordon Target Practice 2 · Bridge of Eldin: Defender · Snowpeak Ruins: Ranger
Level 7 — Underground Target Practice · City in the Sky: Defender · Temple of Time: Ranger
Level 8 — Horseback Target Practice · Snowpeak Ruins: Defender · Darknut Battle
Finale — Ranch Target Practice · Sacred Grove: Defender · Fossil Stallord Battle