Sanctum Sanctorum

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For other uses, see Sanctum sanctorum.
Sanctum Sanctorum

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Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
In story information
Type Building

The Sanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building in the Marvel Universe. It first appeared with Doctor Strange in his debut in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963).[1]

The Sanctum Sanctorum is a three-story townhouse located at 177A Bleecker Street in New York’s Greenwich Village, a reference to the address of an apartment shared in the 1960s by Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich.[1] In the comics, the building was said to have been built upon the site of pagan sacrifices, and before that Native American rituals, and is a focal point for supernatural energies.

The building's depiction has varied over the years but some elements remain consistent. Notably, that there seems to be more space inside than there would seem to be from outside.[1] Some corridors form labyrinths, and the arrangement of rooms seems to change by itself. The house holds many powerful magical items, some of which have an innocent appearance. The basement contains storage, a furnace, and the laundry. The first floor contains living rooms, dining rooms, and the general library. The second floor holds living quarters for Strange, Wong, and any guests they may have. The third floor of the building is specifically the Sanctum Sanctorum, for that is where Strange has his meditation room and occult library, where he keeps the Book of the Vishanti, and his repository of ancient artifacts and objects of magical power, such as the Orb of Agamotto.[1]

Its main residents, apart from Strange, have been the manservant Wong and the apprentice sorcerer Rintrah.

After constructing the house, Doctor Strange cast a permanent, intricate spell of mystical force to protect it. It was seemingly destroyed in a siege by mystical forces, while various heroes such as the Nightstalkers, Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze were hiding inside.

The Sanctum Sanctorum became the headquarters of the New Avengers for a time, having been magically disguised as an abandoned building designated as a construction site for a future Starbucks cafe. It had formerly served as headquarters of the Defenders as well.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Sanderson, Peter (2007). The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City. New York City: Pocket Books, 24-27. ISBN 1-14653-141-6.