| Sanctum Sanctorum | |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| In story information | |
| Type | House |
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]
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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.
Images of the Sanctum Sanctorum and its real life facade can be seen on the Watha T. Daniel Library Blog as well as the DE/VL Design Blog.
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. Some are dangerous, such as a radio which is fatal to the touch. 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] The Sanctum consistently has a circular window with four swooping lines; this design has stayed with the building despite the window's destruction on many occasions. The design is actually the Seal of the Vishanti found in the window of Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum; it protects the Sanctorum from most supernatural invaders, also called "Window of the Worlds," or the Anomaly Rue.[2] Certain members of the New Avengers appear to acknowledge this. Chemistro, a super-villain member of the Hood's army, though possessing no such power to directly break that of the Vishanti's, was able to change the chemical composition of the wood that held the seal to break it.[3] In one story Baron Mordo was able to transport the house to another dimension.
Its main residents, apart from Strange, have been his lover/apprentice Clea, his manservant Wong, and the apprentice sorcerer Rintrah.
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. The run-down disguise extends to the interior of the building as so needed, undetectable by even the Extremis armor of Iron Man.
The building has formerly served as headquarters of the Defenders as well.[1]
After constructing the house, Doctor Strange cast a permanent, intricate spell of mystical force to protect it. Despite this, it was seemingly destroyed in a siege by mystical forces, during the Midnight Sons storyline, while various heroes such as the Nightstalkers, Ghost Rider, and Johnny Blaze were hiding inside.
During the World War Hulk storyline, the Sanctum was partially invaded by the forces of the alien Warbound, its defensive enchantments and illusions shattered by Hiroim.[4]
After using unacceptable dark magics in the fight against the Hulk, the Sanctum is invaded by the Hood's army as mentioned before. The fight devastates the Sanctum, though the villains are defeated. Doctor Strange is forced to retreat when the battle allows the government-sanctioned Mighty Avengers to take over the Sanctum. Brother Voodoo is called in neutralize the remnants of the defensive magics.[3]
In the 'Marvel Zombies' continuity, a handful of heroes try to find help and information at the Sanctum. Wong is slain there by a zombified Doctor Druid, who is then killed by Ash Williams. Some of the semi-living books in the house provide vital assistance in the zombie-resistance effort.[5]
In the 'Ultimate Marvel' continuity, a taxi propelled by great force is enough to pierce the defense of the house. The top-floor window sigil is shattered, along with the 'prison' for a large amount of monsters. These are let loose, followed by Dormammu. The Sanctum is demolished in the process. Strange does not survive the resulting fight with Dormammu.[6]
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