Dark Souls: Real Places Behind the Fantasy

Summary

Dark Souls locations draw inspiration from real-world structures like Vatican City & Angkor Wat.
Anor Londo & Duke’s Archives resemble Milan Cathedral & George Peabody Library.
Mexico’s Cave of the Crystals served as inspiration for Dark Souls’ Crystal Cave.

The Dark Souls series stands out for numerous reasons, including challenging boss fights and creating a unique subgenre within action RPGs. A significant factor behind its popularity is the meticulous craftsmanship applied to every element of the game world and the breathtaking environments that players explore during their gaming experience.

In Dark Souls, there’s an abundance of influences, ranging from popular culture and real-life experiences, and it’s no mere coincidence that the game structures and locations mirror aspects of our world. Some inspirations are subtly woven in, while others are direct reflections that the developers observed and chose to transform with their unique FromSoftware style.

7. Cathedral Of The Deep

St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

The Cathedral of Depth stands out as an engaging locale within Dark Souls 3. The anticipation leading to entering this massive edifice is just as captivating as exploring its interior. It houses colossal beings and various worshippers, and what sets it apart, aside from its grandeur, are the numerous statues adorning its walls, giving an unsettling feeling that one is constantly under observation.

The similarities between this setting and St. Peter’s Basilica are quite evident, with aspects of its interior design and certain exterior areas seemingly taking inspiration from it. Furthermore, much like St. Peter’s Basilica, there is a substantial central structure deep within the walls that bears a strong resemblance to the Kaaba in Mecca. This correlation makes sense given that both structures serve as the spiritual center where many go to pay homage to their deity, whether in the game or reality.

6. Archdragon Peak

Blue Mosque, Istanbul (Byzantine Architecture)

Game: Dark Souls 3

In a distant region, the majestic Archdragon Peak offers two contrasting boss battles: one legendary clash that will challenge seasoned players, while another falls short, offering more amusement than a serious fight. Apart from these bosses, the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and draws inspiration from numerous architectural designs.

As I navigate through this captivating virtual world, I’m struck by the striking resemblance of its architecture to the grandiose structures found in the Blue Mosque of Istanbul – a testament to Byzantine design. The massive domes and intricately decorated buildings combine to create breathtaking facades that leave me awestruck, much like their real-world counterparts visible for miles.

In this game, it’s not just the rounded roofs that echo the Blue Mosque, but also the numerous religious images adorning its interiors, mirroring the scenes depicted in the actual mosques of Istanbul. It’s as if I’ve stepped into a digital replica of those ancient, sacred spaces – an immersive experience that leaves me in awe.

5. Anor Londo

Milan Cathedral, Italy

Amongst the various settings in the Dark Souls trilogy, few are as renowned as Anor Londo. This magnificent palace sprawled across the land serves as a pivotal moment in the game and remains one of the most cherished locations for players. Even after all these years, it continues to evoke a sense of awe.

Miyazaki himself mentioned his desire to explore the Milan Cathedral, a structure that shares striking similarities with the in-game setting, featuring flying buttresses and towering pillars reaching even to the interior spiral staircases. Revisiting this location within the game’s third installment made it evident how visiting the actual site affected the designers and artists involved in creating the game.

4. Lost Izalith

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Game: Dark Souls

The ominous and somber locale known as Izalith is often seen as one of the most challenging and dismal areas in the entire game series. Its surfaces are scorched with lava that harms and slows the player, while grotesque adversaries relentlessly pursue them throughout their journey. The final boss has been a source of exasperation for many players over the years.

Deep within Cambodia, the magnificent structure known as Angkor Wat stands proudly above the foliage, showcasing the skills and artistry of an ancient civilization. Similarly, towering structures can be found in the fictional Lost Izalith, entwined with vines and branches that carve out paths for players to navigate through, enhancing a more eerie atmosphere overall.

3. The Duke’s Archives

George Peabody Library, Baltimore

Game: Dark Souls

In many FromSoftware games, libraries are a recurring element, often appearing as endless, eerie mazes. This design concept has been refined over time, even appearing in Elden Ring. One early example is “The Duke’s Archives,” which showcases the towering height of the halls and bookshelves, effectively emphasizing the player’s small stature.

The George Peabody Library, found in Baltimore, USA, is a massive space that accommodates countless texts and books from various genres and eras under one roof. The layout shares striking resemblances with an archive, boasting towering walls and central meeting points, demonstrating the development team’s commitment to authenticity and attention to detail.

2. Crystal Cave

Cave Of The Crystals, Mexico

Game: Dark Souls

The Crystal Cave, though compact, offers a captivating mystery with peculiar foes that leave players in awe. Remarkably vivid graphics, often praised as exceptional, make this location a notable highlight within the initial Dark Souls. Towering pillars extend over great distances, and dimly lit walkways are barely visible due to faint dust particles. This eerie yet beautiful environment invites exploration and creates an unnerving yet breathtaking experience.

Instead of being a fantasy setting from a story like Dark Souls, the location you’re referring to is actually based on Earth. Mexico is home to an enormous crystal cavern known as the Cave of the Crystals, which bears striking resemblance to the crystalline caves depicted in the game. The minimalist design and vast scale of these natural structures create a breathtaking spectacle that showcases the true splendor of our planet’s wonders.

1. Undead Parish

Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico

Game: Dark Souls

Numerous gamers hold The Undead Parish dear as a cherished reminiscence from past times. Filled with lengthy hallways teeming with foes and distinctive mossy motifs, this locale served as an introduction to the Soulslike genre for many. Nowadays, it stands out as a prized piece in the collection of remarkable level design and immersive world-building.

As I navigate through this captivating virtual world, I can’t help but draw parallels between the design of the main turret and a small, real-world village nestled in Mexico – Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro. It seems that developers have skillfully woven elements from this often unsung location into the very fabric of this game, breathing new life into it and making it accessible to countless gamers worldwide. It’s truly fascinating to see how a place like Nuevo San Juan has found a cherished place in the gaming community, surpassing the reach and impact it once had in reality.

2025-05-26 00:12