Low Level - South District

Residencial zone: Neighborhoods primarily inhabited by low social groups. Their houses often have a modest appearance and are arranged more densely.

Market Street: A wide, lengthy street bustling with commercial activity, it divides the city into two distinct halves.

Docktown: It is the counterpart to High Docks. It is a port characterized by significant deficiencies in its record-keeping, resulting in less regulated migration and cargo activities that increase the likelihood of illegal goods passing through [illegal drugs, magical components, artifacts, slaves]. The area merges with sections of the slums and lower-class residential neighborhoods.

Docktown Archive: It is an underfunded repository where innocuous yet symbolically uncomfortable objects are kept. It is heavily cluttered with iconography and informatoin of Andraste, Elvhenan, Alamarri, and obscure lore of Old Gods. The archive’s storage conditions are compromised by mold and rats. It also houses the records of Docktown’s Low Dock, which gradually leads to the destruction of evidence related to illegal activities at the docks. There is a reason why Minrathous institutions are not interested in ensuring this archive functions effectively. Additionally, it serves as a place for disciplining misbehaved Templars or City Guards, resulting in an archive staffed without professional archivists. Tarquin Val works in the cellar.

Spes Venditor [Seller of Hope]: Pawn shop of the Lucerni.

Aqua Quietus [Waters of Rest]: This bathhouse, secretly owned by the Lucerni, aims to the lower classes and offers fewer accommodations compared to Fond Splendoris. It serves as an ideal location for both hearing and spreading rumors.

Several taverns: Cobbled Swan, Fumus et Risus.

The Threads' newspaper corner: A corner in the residential zone where some sheetpapers are printed and rumours spread. It's linked to the crime syndicate of The Threads.

Several humble inns: The Traveler’s Rest [Quies Viatoris] , The Muddy Boot [Calceus Lutosus], The Sleepy Sailor [Nautes Somniculosus].

Craftmen’s worshops: These are small workshops where artisans and craftsmen engage in various trades to produce goods and repair items. The trades include blacksmithing, butchery, fishing, pottery, and clothing production.

Guild Halls: Meeting places for various trade guilds, providing support and organization for workers in similar professions.

Apothecariesand local healers: Roots and Remedies [Radices et Remedia], The Green Leaf [Folium Viride] , The Apothecary’s Nook [Angulus Pharmacopolae].

There are no alienages. Historically, they are linked to the consequences of the conflict of the Dales in the South. These ghettos allowed humans and elves to coexist in the same city despite racial tensions, giving them some resemblance of personal culture [for example, allowing the existance of a vhenadahl with some inner conflicts, depending on the city]. Tevinter is a brutal country, especially towards elves, so it makes no sense for it to permit them any semblance of cultural identity. In the book “Tevinter Nights,” we learn that in Vyrantium, there is a “fossil” of an alienage: a traditional vhenadahl was replaced by a metallic version of a burnt tree, as a reminder of the consequences of rebellion.

There are no brothels; any sexual work is offered in the alleys and arranged spontaneously with the client.

Slave Quarter - West District

Colosseum: This large structure, inspired by the Roman Colosseum, serves as a venue where some slaves are given the opportunity to earn their freedom by fighting to the death against animals or other slaves. Although rare, certain powerful slaves, known as Champions, may choose to fight in replacement of others to secure their freedom. Some Altus take pleasure in the depravity and brutality of these contests. The lower classes also find entertainment in these events.

Slave Market and Auction Houses: In front of the Colosseum, there are several display stands featuring slaves ready for sale. Most of these individuals have sold themselves, unable to survive in the city without resorting to begging. However, in the corners of this area, one can also find illegal slaves—those captured by slavers who have forged documentation to obscure their true status.

Deep Slums: Where the poorest people reside, often attempting to sell themselves into slavery as a means of escaping their dire circumstances. The majority of its population consists of the elderly and the ill. This is also the best place to hire people for all sorts of illegal activities. Despair runs deep in this area of the city.

Training Facilities: Places where slaves are trained for their specific roles, such as household service, skilled labor, or combat.

Holding Pens or Cells: Secure areas for newly acquired slaves or those awaiting sale or transfer, often with basic necessities.

Undercity

This place is locate above the intricate tunnels that belong to the Ambassadoria.

It has two levels: the sewers and the catacombs.

Sewers: It runs sewer waters throughout the city, forming a maze-like network that has historically been used by various rebel slave groups. In the present, the Lucerni has reclaimed a part of it. It has no chambers.

Catacombs: This place has been largely forgotten by most Tevinters since the Imperium’s conversion to the Andrastian faith. When they ceased burying their dead in favor of cremation, the labyrinthine tunnels lost their original purpose. It is filled with an endless array of numered chambers that once served as family crypts of ancient lienages. However, the intricate and maze-like configuration has allowed these tunnels to be repurposed for various functions:

Secret Meeting Chambers: concealed spaces or alcoves originally used by ancient slave rebellion groups, and later appropriated by the Lucerni.

Smugglers’ Hideouts: Concealed areas where contraband is stored or smuggled goods are exchanged, taking advantage of the catacombs’ labyrinthine nature. Some hidden temples dedicated to the Old Gods, abandoned long ago, have been repurposed to display humble shrines to the Creators or Andraste. These spaces are now utilized as hideouts for smugglers.

Research and Experimentation Chambers: Similar to structure of Kirkwall/Emerius, the catacombs contain large chambers that have been converted into hidden laboratories or study areas. Here, mages and scholars conducted forbidden or secretive research, safely shielded from the authorities and the watchful eye of the Archon. Many of these chambers remain sealed, as they are known to contain ancient dangers.

Escape Routes: Tunnels or passages used for covert movement throughout the city, offering escape paths during emergencies or as part of secretive operations.

Middle Level: Upper Class Areas

Residences: It’s mostly filled with Manors and Villas of magisters, palaces of Altus, and mansions of merchants and military members.

Plaza Dumat: In the center of the middle level lies a green area adorned with trees and vibrant flowers, sustained by magic. The entire area is embellished with impressive statues of dragons and metallic Tevinter golems. It displays in the center a gigantic statue of Andraste, The Lady of Victoty, with a hand casting blue fire, as an eternal representation of her as a mage.

High Docks: highly controlled docks where exclusive legal cargo is managed, with a particular focus on the importation of fine products from Antiva and Rivain, such as clothing, gems, legal magical components, herbs, fruits, and food.

City Guard HQ and Barracks: This building serves as the headquarters for the City Guards, where they convene to discuss security matters, impart training, and handle recruitment. It maintains a close relationship with the Argent Spire, since the most questionable Templars are often demoted to city guards, while well-behaved city guards can be promoted to Templars. The City Guards are equipped with low-quality enchanted weapons and armor.

They permit human mages, particularly those who are poor Laetans and Liberati mages, to be part of the City Guards. However, these guards are not eligible for promotion to Templars in order to avoid “compromising” the Templar institution [ha!]. Elves are rarely seen serving as City Guards.

Archive Palace [Locus Cognitionis - Palace of Knowledge]: is a large building with multiple chambers that display flying libraries. These shelves are enchanted to prevent the accumulation of dust and humidity. The archive includes a chamber with ancient artifacts that resemble Elvhenan designs. It also preserves ancient lineage documents that confirm the Dreamer ancestry of families recognized by Tevinter. Additionally, it holds migratory records and moderately significant magical artifacts. The archive also stores import and export records, particularly those from the High Docks. It participates in the exchange of books, paperwork, and personnel with other archives throughout the Imperium.

Public Library of Minrathous : Public library which, ironically, can only be accessed by Altus. If Soporati and Laetans wish to gain access, they must initiate bureaucratic procedures to obtain a temporary usage permit. Part of this approval process needs to be completed at the Archive Palace.

Temples and Shrines: Temples originally dedicated to the Old Gods have been repurposed as shrines to the Maker or Hessarian, with minimal Andraste iconography present.

Golden Dragon [Draconis Aurei]: Upscale tavern/nightclub that offers a wide variety of drinks and drugs, both legal and illegal. It features discreet corners for romantic encounters, casual relationships, gambling games, and solitary entertainment of any kind.

Luxurious Brothels: There are several upscale brothels exuding an air of exclusivity and sophistication. Arcanae Voluptatis [Secrets of Pleasure]. There is also An Aqua Brothel: Aquae Amoris [Waters of Love].

Fons Splendoris [Fountain of Splendor] : Public bathhouse, secretly owned by the Lucerni. It is frequented by Altus, Laetans, and affluent, influential Soporati involved in trade and the military. Much like in ancient Rome, it serves as a venue for gatherings and meetings. The bathhouse also offers massages and basic forms of physiotherapy using herbs and water-based treatments. It is an ideal location for both listening to and spreading rumors.

Highest Level: Magisterium or Forum

This ring-shaped building adorns the city like a crown. At its center is the Magisterium, where magisters convene to vote on laws and make significant decisions related to Tevinter. Flanking the Magisterium are minor administrative buildings, the most important of which is the Main Archive of Tevinter. This archive houses the most sensitive historical artifacts and records, accessible only to the Archon and the Divine. Magisters must undergo an extensive bureaucratic process to obtain permission, which requires approval from both the Divine and the Archon.

I know that the game considers this place as the Archon's Palace, but for me it makes more ironic sense if this institution that thinks of itself as the “magic that serves the people, not rules over them” is the one above everything else. Technically the power of the Magisterium should be below the Archon’s, but in practice is not the case. The Magisterium can remove “annoying” Archons via “accidents”. So this floating infrastructure also represents the irony of Tevinter: it should be vigilant over the city, but in fact, lives in its own bubble, ruling over a reality they ignore completely.

High Level: Chantry, Argent Spire, Divine’s Palace

The main Chantry of Minrathous is situated here and occasionally hosts events, such as the presentation of potential successors for the Divine position. These events require the attendance of most of Tevinter’s political figures, including the Magisters, the Knight-Commanders of the Imperial Templars, the First Enchanters, and several senior Enchanters. Additionally, some military generals may participate in these proceedings.

The Argent Spire is a complex of buildings dedicated to the education and training of Imperial Templars. It includes a specific building that keeps an arsenal of enchanted artifacts and weapons designed to counter magic, providing tools to address unruly mages, given that Imperial Templars do not consume Lyrium. However, most Templars do not have access to these devices, as obtaining them requires navigating a bureaucratic process that can take months to grant temporary ownership. The permission must be granted by mage bureaucrats.

The Palace of the Imperial Divine is a grand manor adorned predominantly with symbols representing the Maker and Hessarian. It serves as the primary residence of the Divine.

High Level: Dwarven Ambassadoria

The architecture of this building is distinguished by its dwarven design, characterized by a bulky, robust structure that enables dwarves to access the surface to some extent while maintaining their connection to the Stone. Inside, an intricate network of tunnels forms a small city populated by dwarves who continue to uphold their caste system. This complex extends below and deeper than the Sewers or Catacombs of Minrathous.

Not all dwarves in Minrathous live here, only those who still keep their caste. Surface dwarves can be found everywhere in Minrathous.

High Level: Archon’s Palace

Erected in front of the Ambassadoria, the tower features a top designed to resemble the Archon’s ceremonial hat [Magekiller], where the Chamber of the Throne is located, a room largely encircled by windows, symbolizing the Archon’s vigilant watch over the nation.

High Level: Gilded Square

This part of this level displays other institutions or buildings that can be used by the religious and political groups of the city as well as the residents of the lower levels.

Domus Illusionis [House of Illusion]: In front of the Archon’s Palace there is a magical theater which regularly features spectacles of magic and theatrical performances.

Galeria Mirabilium [Gallery of Wonders]: Minrathous’s largest art gallery, predominantly showcasing artwork owned by the Altus or other economically powerful groups within the city. It is rare for artists from the lower classes to have their work displayed here.

Circle of Magi: The most prestigious Magic Academy in Tevinter provides education and training for young nobles and aspiring mages, with a focus on advanced studies and elite networking. It includes various departments dedicated to research in biology, medicine, and magic, as well as several archives containing non-sensitive materials.

The remaining buildings belong to museums and second tier academies.

Detail of importance in the map above: Qarinus is called Ventus; a city that gets periodically invaded by Qunari. Last time of this invasion happened in the comic Deception.

Sieges

The city was besieged without success several times in History:

1015 TE or -180 Ancient: By Andraste, in her Exalted March where she was captured and killed publicly.

Divine 1:05-1:95 : By Darkspawn hordes during The Second Blight.

Glory 2:80: By the Orlesian Chantry, during the time of the Schism between the Imperial Chantry and the Orlesian one.

Steel 6:00–6:99: By the Qunari, who despite managing to conquer all the rest of East Tevinter, they never could capture the capital city.

It’s important to highlight that despite the many attempts, Minrathous never fell [The Tevinter Imperium]. This suggests that the city possesses formidable defenses, attributed not only to its strategic geographical location but also to its use of magic and its military strength. The city maintains a robust military system primarily trained for ongoing conflicts with the Qunari. This military force includes powerful mages, indicating that the Tevinter army is not composed solely of Soporati. There are hints suggesting the existence of War Mages, as evidenced by several items found in the games called in this fashion. One in particular implies that some Magisters of the past belonged to the Military, such as Cavellus.

Map

From Joplin we have a basic version of the map of Minrathous:

The Entrance: Minrathous’ entrance is guarded by two golems called Juggernauts that were a gift from the dwarven empire [Legend of the Juggernaut, Constellation: Servani, Juggernaut armor set]. This is the point where the Imperial Highway starts.

In both DAI and Kirkwall, we have observed metallic guardians flanking fortress entrances, hinting at a possible resemblance to the iconic Juggernauts found in Minrathous [the Gate Guardians].

From a more three-dimensional perspective, and acknowledging that my annotations are entirely headcanon while attempting to reproduce the map above, it appears that Minrathous shares a similar configuration to Emerius [now Kirkwall].

The floating ring/crown should be above this illustration.

The most powerful groups of the society are located in the highest level of the city [Chantry, Archon’s palace, Circle of Magi, and Dwarven embassy] while the middle level belongs to the upper classes [Altus and probably rich merchants or military Soporati]. The next lower level is filled with low classes, and the final ones by slave-related groups. Below the surface we have the Undercity, consisting of sewers and catacombs. This configuration closely mirrors that of Kirkwall, where the highest level belonged to the Viscount’s Keep and the Chantry, followed by Hightown, Lowtown, and then Darktown.

In my configuration of Minrathous, the levels of the city are designed as followed:

Highest level:

Flying in the sky, above everyone else, is the Magisterium. This is an institution that thinks of itself as the “magic that serves the people, not rules over them”, and even though technically the power of the Magisterium should be below the Archon's, in practice is not the case. The Magisterium can remove “annoying” Archons via "accidents". This floating infrastructure also represents the irony of Tevinter: it should be vigilant over the city, but in fact, lives in its own bubble, ruling over a reality they ignore completely.

High Level: Golden [East] District

Imperial Chantry, Argent Spire, Divine's Palace

Archon’s Palace

Ambassadoria

Gilded Square

Imperial Military Academy

Middle Level: High District

Right below the most important institutions we find the residential area of the Altus, richer Merchant soporati, and Military.

Plaza Dumat

High Docks

City Guard Barracks

Archive Palace [Locus Cognitionis]

Public Library of Mirnathous

Temples and Shrines

Draconis Aurei [Golden Dragon]

Luxurious Brothels

Luxurious Inn: The Silver Serpent [Serpens Argenteus]

Bathhouse: Fons Splendoris [Fountain of Splendor], owned by the Lucerni.

Low Level: South District

Residential area of the lower classes: Soporati, Laetans, non-slaved elves and humans, Liberati.

Market Street: it is at the same level than the previous zone. All the merchant activity is concentrated in this area, and divides the city into two halves.

Docktown

Docktown Archive

Pawn shop: Spes Venditor [Seller of Hope], Lucerni hideout.

Bathhouse: Aqua Quietus [Waters of Rest], owned by the Lucerni.

Several taverns: Cobbled Swan, Fumus et Risus

Several humble inns

Craftmen’s worshops

Guild Halls

Apothecaries and local healers

No alienages

Slave Quarter: West District

This area is located at the low level but at a side of the city. It features a slave market and several buildings designated for legal slavery [self-selling slavery]. In its shadowy alleys, illegal slavery operates with little resistance. The Colosseum is also located here.

Undercity:

This section of the city includes sewers and catacombs, which features ancient escape routes and hidden underground chambers where rebel activities occur.

Visuals and Designs

Contrary to the concept art, I don’t see Minrathous letting Elvhenan remnants show into its architecture. If they used and co-opted Elvhenan ruins, they would likely have entirely covered them with their own symbols, erasing any indication of the elven origins—a race they have historically despised.