The lonesome traveler's guide to Novigrad and the surrounding areas
by your humble servant

Mr K. Fetterling

published in Oxenfort in the bright year of 1269
May the Ethernal Fire light your path and keep you warm on your journey

The city of Novigrad
Novigrad is a true pearl of the northern realms. A city of trade and commerce, with an important port for the Pontar trade. The river Pontar separates Velen in the south from Redania in the north and east. Novigrad itself is, per this day, considered an independent realm not under the crown of either Temeria nor Redania.

In this area the land is relatively flat and the Pontar sprawls into a delta. When approaching the city from the south it is advisable to travel along the main roads, as the area is overrun by foul creatures and bandits aplenty. Smaller roads are in ill repair and many bridges across the river is damaged. If traveling with heavy goods it is recommended to find a river boat which is both safer and more comfortable than traveling by land.

The climate is somewhat more accommodating in the northern part of the Pontar valley compared to the trying conditions in the vast swamps of Velen and the southern delta. You may find orchards, vineyards and relatively prosperous farms surrounding Novigrad. For the traveler with an interest in local cuisine it is well worth spending some time in the area just south of Novigrad.

Novigrad proper is situated on three isles on the very mouth of the Pontar with a natural deep harbour in the west. Naturally there is also quite large populations living outside of the city gates in the area called Farcorners. Two distinct settlements have formed; on the flat isle in the middle of the Pontar where several bridges connect Novigrad to the delta in the southeast, and south of the Portside and Glory gates where many non humans have taken up residency. Different enterprises have sprung up utilizing the plentiful water supply, such as laundries, dyeing workshops and brick makers.

The city is protected from the northwest by the sheer cliff side towards the sea. Towards the mainland in the east and south the city is surrounded by a high and imposing stone wall, a great pride of the city. The visitor with some time to spare can make a illuminating outing from studying the city wall - which is unique in its architecture and have yet to fail.

You will find six gates, in order from the sea in southwest towards the east: the Portside Gate, the Glory Gate, the Gate of the Hierarch, Tretogor Gate, the Southern Gate and Oxenfurt Gate. Oxenfurt gate is the only one leading directly to the mainland, and for travelers approaching the city from the north or the east this is a tempting alternative. However be aware that you will enter into the most unkempt part of town if choosing this option. If you are carrying goods of value it is well worth to travel the longer distance around the swamps east of the city, and approach Tretogor gate which will lead you directly to the trading quarters.

Most travelers will reach the city either from the sea or from the south. You will then first encounter the harbour area. The north part of the harbour is part of the main central island. The rest belong to the south island and the district of Glory Lane where you find the docks and the red light district (sometimes called the Lacehalls). Do not be alarmed though, plenty of guards patrol the streets and this is in general a fairly safe area to traverse. You can find small shops and food vendors, as well as plenty of opportunities for exotic entertainment. Gang violence is rare here but do be aware of pick pockets.

The largest island is the middle one, which constitutes several distinct districts. Portside is the western area, dominated by storehouses and plenty of unpolished workers. It holds little interest for the general visitor, but might be suitable for daytime visits for the more adventurous and fore the individual with an interest in international seafaring. The port is busy and often welcomes ships from exotic places, carrying goods not only from Povis, Skellige, Cintra and Nilfgaard but also from Ofeir and other distant realms. The storehouses along the quay is impressive and of interest to students of architecture. Next to the Portside district are a few streets with predominately small workshops and the like, called Silverton. It is a poor but generally well kept area where artists tend to dwell.

Located in the center of the island is the main market square, named after the Hierarch. This is the very heart of commerce in Novigrad. On the west side of the square you will find the main office of the Vivaldis bank, on the east side the acclaimed inn the Kingfisher (see later chapters for more details). In the square and surrounding streets you will be able to find anything you could possibly need. There is even some specialist enterprises like a bookstore and a mages shop. The famous Borsody Auction House is also right next to the square, but rumours have surfaced about a possible relocation to Oxenfurt within the near future.

South of Hierarch square you will find a smaller market dedicated to fish (with an excellent selection of fresh seafood straight from the sea and delta), and to the southeast close to Tretogor Gate a market square where many a Novigrad matron makes her daily household shopping.

The eastern part of the city is the slum area, which is inadvisable to visit for all decent folk. The name "the Bits" does nothing to convey the dissuading dread of the vast gloomy labyrinth of narrow passageways and old houses. Despite the wish to surpass this area from my description it is worth mentioning if only because a large portion of the city's population unfortunately find themselves living in this area, and some of my readers might find themselves in the need of advice of how to best proceed.

The housing is cramped and with low standards, with pigs running free in the streets and outbursts of the plague is frequent. The location of the citys morgue as well as such institutions as orphanages and the hospital for the poor, and the many entrances to the sewers most certainly does not help in this regard. For your own safety, avert your eyes from the many questionable enterprises here and do not venture into the Bits after dark without an escort.

From the Bits two sturdy stairways lead up the hill to the Gildorf square. It is however advisable to reach Gildorf by the main road instead, which is in itself worth visiting and leads from Hierarch square towards the bridge to Temple Isle. The steep incline offers a spectacular view over the city. In Gildorf you will find distinguished institutions such as the Nilfgaard embassy, and some of the wealthiest families have their townhouses around the Gildorf square. This is an important market place with many well established shops and trading houses, catering to every need.

A broad and covered bridge with the name of St. Gregorys Bridge connects the district of Gildorf with Temple Isle. The bridge houses plenty of small businesses and is often very busy.

The northernmost isle consists of a high cliff with a magnificent view of the sea and the lands to the north. A large portion of this island is occupied by the impressive main temple to the Ethernal Fire, more on this in the chapter on culture and religion. Many important institutions and wealthy or influential (or both) individuals find their address here. It is however a district of less interest to the general populace, since not very many establishments or shops are open to the public. Most of the area is dominated by domestic housing, but about halfway between St. Gregorys Bridge and the entrance to the Temple district there is a small marketplace called Electors Square where it is occasionally possible to find good deals.