Drag the planet to turn it
Forest world · Mid Rim · J-16
Takodana
A green world of forests and lakes where a centuries-old castle serves as neutral ground for scoundrels.
- Region
- Mid Rim
- Grid
- J-16
- Sector
- Tashtor
- System
- Takodana
- Suns
- 1
- Moons
- 0
- Climate
- Temperate
- Terrain
- Forests, lakes, hills
Overview
Takodana is a green, lightly populated world in the galaxy's Western Reaches, a land of dense primordial forest, hills and lakes[1]. The galaxy map places it in grid square J-16 of the Tashtor sector[3].
Its best-known landmark is the stone castle of Maz Kanata, which stands on the shore of Nymeve Lake. For centuries Maz has run it as a haven for smugglers, spies and scoundrels, under a single house rule: no politics and no war inside[2]. Pirates, pilots and travellers of every species mix in its halls[2].
Away from the castle the planet is mostly wilderness. Forest, hills and open water cover most of what a visitor sees, and few people live there. Takodana has stayed out of the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance[1].
Who lives here
Maz Kanata
A diminutive being who has run the castle on the lake shore for centuries and sets the house rules for every smuggler, spy and pirate who comes through its doors[2].
Castle patrons
Smugglers, spies and pirates of many species who come for loans, information, repairs and a drink, under Maz's rule of no politics and no war[2].
Role in the galaxy
Takodana matters because of Maz Kanata's castle on the shore of Nymeve Lake. It works as neutral ground where deals, loans, repairs and information change hands, and nobody is meant to bring a fight through the door of the castle[2].
Maz also keeps a collection of Jedi curios in a vault under the castle, and one of them is a lightsaber that once belonged to Luke Skywalker[2]. That relic makes the castle a stop on the trail of the lost Jedi legacy as well as a place for deals[4].
Chronicle
Events are in story order. Spoilers stay hidden until you open them — or mark the title as watched on the timeline, and they open by themselves.
-
The High Republic
Episode VII — The Force Awakens
Maz Kanata runs her centuries-old fortress on the lake shore as a haven for smugglers and spies. The one house rule is that nobody brings politics or war inside[2].
-
The New Republic
Episode VII — The Force Awakens
A lightsaber that once belonged to Anakin Skywalker and later to Luke ends up in Maz's collection of Jedi curios at some point before The Force Awakens[2][4].
-
34 ABY
Episode VII — The Force Awakens
Han Solo and Chewbacca bring Rey, Finn and BB-8 to Maz at the castle. In the vault Rey touches the lightsaber, is overwhelmed by visions and runs into the woods. Maz urges her to take it, but she refuses[4].
-
34 ABY
Episode VII — The Force Awakens
Spoiler · Episode VII — The Force AwakensShowYou've watched it
Starkiller Base destroys the Hosnian system, and the blast is visible in the sky above Takodana. It tells the characters that the Resistance has lost its main support[4].
-
34 ABY
Episode VII — The Force Awakens
Spoiler · Episode VII — The Force AwakensShowYou've watched it
The First Order attacks the castle in search of BB-8 and leaves it in ruins. Maz hands the lightsaber to Finn, Poe leads Resistance X-wings to rescue Han, Chewbacca and Finn, and Kylo Ren captures Rey in the forest[4].
Where to see Takodana
Every film, series and game in the timeline where Takodana appears, in watch order.
Filmed on Earth
Real places that played Takodana on screen.
Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, England
The moss-covered paths and ironstone gorges of this ancient woodland stood in for the forest around Maz's castle[5].
Derwentwater, Lake District, England
Landscape and aerial shots of the lake were filmed here in July 2014 for the lake and the castle approach. The castle itself was added digitally[4].
Did you know?
Questions about Takodana
Where was Takodana filmed?
Takodana was filmed in England, with the forest scenes shot at Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean and the lake shots at Derwentwater in the Lake District[4][5]. Maz's castle itself was added digitally[4].