Imperial City The Imperial City , also known as Cyrodiil City , is the capital of the Tamrielic Empire , based in Cyrodiil . It is the ancient capital of the Ayleid s , and home of the White - Gold Tower . It is located on City Isle in Lake Rumare , in the Heartlands region of Cyrodiil . Background . From the First Era into the Fourth Era , the White - Gold Tower continues to be the centre of Tamrielic cultures and the beacon of the Empire , being the seat of the Imperial government and home to the Emperor . The Imperial City has led Tamriel in culture , fashion , economics and politics for centuries . It was once the center of the Ayleid civilization , noticeable in the gleaming white architecture and magnificent statues which are still a noticeable part of the city even in the Fourth Era . Below the city , there is a complex sewer system , as well as various ruined Ayleid structures and labyrinths . Only a small number of those labyrinths and sewers have been mapped , maintained , and controlled by the Imperial Legion . Large portions of these ruins and sewers , however , are not , and the Imperial Legion advises all adventurers entering the sewers to bring extra hands and securities . Above ground , the gleaming Imperial City can be seen clearly for miles . The architecture is ornate and grand , reflecting the wealth and importance of the city . The city is walled in a circular shape around the White - Gold Tower so as to afford it as much defense as possible from would - be attackers . Districts . In the city , there are in total seven districts : Green Emperor Way , also referred to as the Palace District , the Market District , the Arena District , the Arboretum , Talos Plaza District , the Elven Gardens District , and the Temple District . There are also two smaller walled districts located outside of the city proper . The Arcane University is located to the southeast and the Imperial Legion Compound ( which includes the Imperial Prison ) is located in the northeast . The last district is the Imperial City Waterfront , the harbor district , which is located to the southwest of the city proper . Green Emperor Way is the central district of the Imperial City and the location of the White - Gold Tower , also known as the Imperial Palace . The various Emperor s of the Empires of Tamriel , along with the Elder Council , rule the provinces of Tamriel from the Imperial Palace . The Elder Scrolls , powerful tools of prophecy and divination , are also located within the confines of the White - Gold Tower , and are guarded with fanatical devotion by the blind priests of the Cult of the Ancestor Moth and the Imperial Legion . A cemetery used for the burial of the nobility of Cyrodiil and other important persons surrounds the Imperial Palace . Six gates lead to the other districts of the Imperial City from Green Emperor Way . Starting from the northwest , the Imperial City ' s series of concentric districts begin with the Elven Gardens . The Elven Gardens is a pleasant residential area , supported economically by two well - known inns : Luther Broad ' s Boarding House , and The King and Queen Tavern . Talos Plaza , located in the western region of the Imperial City , is an exclusive residential area and the location of the main gateway to the Imperial City . The district is supported economically by The Tiber Septim Hotel , an exclusive hotel used regularly by the nobility of Tamriel during visits to the capital city . It is an expensive hotel for the use of prosperous and important visitors to the Imperial City . In the center of the Talos Plaza district stands a statue of Akatosh , the Dragon God of Time , in his Dragon aspect , which is a famous location around which the people of the Imperial City gather to meet and converse . One of the residents of this district is the Ayleid artifact collector Umbacano , whose manor is located just across the street from the statue of Akatosh . The Temple District is the location of the magnificent and ancient Temple of the One . This temple is nearly as old as the White - Gold Tower and was constructed in the First Era following the establishment of the Alessian Empire from the ruins of the Ayleid Hegemonies by Queen Alessia . Within the Temple of the One was where the Dragonfires burned before the Oblivion Crisis . Also in the Temple District is The All - Saints Inn , which opens its doors to visitors and pilgrims alike . The gateway to the southwest of the Temple District leads to the Imperial City Waterfront . The Arboretum is the garden district located in the southeast region of the Imperial City . In this district stands the statues of the Nine Divines : Akatosh , Arkay , Dibella , Julianos , Kynareth , Mara , Stendarr , Talos , and Zenithar . The statue of Talos , or Tiber Septim , is located in the middle of the Arboretum , encircled by the statues of the other Gods . The gateway to the southeast of the Arboretum leads to the Arcane University . Next is the Arena District , where the Imperial City Arena is located . This is the site of all gladiator combat in Cyrodiil following the destruction of Kvatch and its arena . Two groups of gladiators fight at carefully scheduled times : the " Blue Team " and the " Yellow Team " . Before they are allowed to enter the Arena and enjoy the spectacle of gladiator combat , all visitors are required to bet on a match or join one of the two teams as a combatant . The management and training of both gladiator teams is handled professionally in the basement of the Arena , known as the Bloodworks by the Imperial City ' s citizenry . Two statues mark the district : the statue of Queen Alessia in the southern region of the district and the statue of Morihaus in the northern region of the district . Queen Alessia was the first ruler of the Alessian Empire , the first of the Imperial Empires of Tamriel , and the founder of the Nine Divines religion . Morihaus was a pit fighter who led Alessia ' s armies in the taking of White - Gold Tower and brought about the end of the Ayleid Hegemonies . The Market District is the busiest district of the Imperial City . All kinds of people and races from throughout Tamriel are seen there . All kinds of items change hands here , from weapons and armor to alchemy ingredients and books . The merchants who set up shop in the Market District are officially regulated by the Office of Imperial Commerce . Aside from the official regulator , the merchants in the Market District created their own organization to control the prices of items and the economic balance within the Market District . The organization is named the Society of Concerned Merchants . A Septim Empire - sponsored publicity and news office is also located there . The Black Horse Courier is run by a group of Khajiit who hunt for news and deliver newspapers to various cities across Cyrodiil . There are two statues in the Market District : the statue of Uriel Septim III located near the gateway to the Elven Gardens , and the statue of Pelagius Septim , the son of Tiber Septim , located near the gateway to the Arena District . The gateway in the northeast region of the Market District leads to the Imperial Legion Compound . The Imperial Legion Compound , separate from the main thoroughfares of the Imperial City , is located to the northeast of the city proper . It is headquarters of the Imperial Legion as well as its armory and the Imperial Prison . The troublemakers and other various prisoners were kept locked up in that prison . The prison is also connected to an ancient labyrinth of Ayleid ruins , a fact not known to the general populace of the Imperial City . However , the Imperial Legion is aware of that fact and keeps the ruins sealed . The commander of the Imperial Legion during the Oblivion Crisis was Adamus Phillida . He was renowned across Cyrodiil for his constant war against the Dark Brotherhood and had led the Imperial Legion for forty years , surviving many attempts on his life by the assassin guild he sought to destroy . In the Hero can kill him during the Dark Brotherhood questline , during which he will retire to Leyawiin . The Arcane University is the site of the headquarters of the Mages Guild in Cyrodiil . The University is closed to all non - members and low - level recruits of the Mages Guild . To gain access to that prestigious university , an aspiring mage needs a recommendation letter from the various heads of the guildhalls across Cyrodiil . During the Oblivion Crisis , the Mages Guild was led by Arch - Mage Hannibal Traven , a powerful mage who took a strong stance against Necromancy . Under his leadership , the Mages Guild banned Necromancy from the Mages Guild , an act that was regretted by many other high - level members of the Guild . A special branch of the Imperial Legion known as the Imperial Battlemage s guard the university . They are highly trained in the magical arts as well as the use of the blade and heavy armor . The Arcane University contains various buildings dedicated to each of the magical arts and studies such as the Lustratorium for Alchemy ( Oblivion ) study , the Chironasium for enchantment study , the Praxographical Center for the creation of spells , and the Mystic Archives , also known as the Arcane Library . In the center of that circular compound was the Arch - Mage ' s Tower . The Arch - Mage ' s Tower consists of a lobby , the Council Chambers , the Arch - Mage ' s Quarters , and the Imperial Orrery in the basement . The Arch - Mage and the Council members manage the entire Mages Guild throughout Tamriel from the Arcane University . The Imperial Orrery is one of two contraptions in Tamriel that studied the celestial bodies . The first of the two was created by the Dwemer during the First Era on the island of Stros M ' kai in Hammerfell . The Waterfront is the harbor and docks of the Imperial City and was located to southwest of the city proper . This is the region where ships from throughout Tamriel come to trade , pick up and drop off goods , and conduct other economical business . An underground route connects the Waterfront to the Temple District . The inhabitants of the Waterfront District mostly consist of the lower classes of Imperial society ; beggars and ruffians are often seen prowling the district . The Thieves Guild is widely known to operate in that area , yet the Imperial Legion has difficulty capturing the Guild ' s leaders , the Doyen s and the Gray Fox . The beggars in the Waterfront are quite protective to any inquiries about the Gray Fox , and it is considered obvious by the Imperial Legion that a symbiotic relationship is maintained between the Thieves Guild and the beggars . It was even said that the beggars are under the personal protection of the Gray Fox . Layout . The central ring - shaped hub of the city is split up into districts , beginning North - East and moving clockwise : Outside the center ring are three districts :