| Sanctum Sanctorum | |
|---|---|
 Sanctum Sanctorum Art bySteve Ditko | |
| First appearance | Strange Tales #110 (July 1963) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Steve Ditko |
| In-universe information | |
| Type | Residence |
| Location | United States,New York City |
| Character | Doctor Strange |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
TheSanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics, as the residence and headquarters ofDoctor Strange. Created byStan Lee andSteve Ditko, the building first appeared inStrange Tales #110 (July 1963). It is located at the address 177ABleecker Street in theGreenwich Village neighborhood of New York City.[1] This is a reference to the address of an apartment once shared by writersRoy Thomas andGary Friedrich.
The Sanctum Sanctorum has appeared in various media adaptations, including animated television series, video games, and in numerous media within theMarvel Cinematic Universe.
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The Sanctum Sanctorum first appeared withDoctor Strange in his debut inStrange Tales #110 (July 1963), drawn by Steve Ditko.[2][3] The details of the building have varied by artist, with one reviewer noting, for example, ofMarvel Premiere #3 (July 1972) that "[n]ot since the heady days of Ditko for instance, did the doctor's sanctum sanctorum appear in such scrumptious detail, laden it seemed, with the heavy odor of burning incense".[4] In a comical turn inStrange Tales #147, abuilding inspector informs Strange that he has six months to get the Sanctum Sanctorum repainted and make other repairs, or the building will be condemned.[5] It has been described as "an integral part of the Doctor Strange mythos".[6]
The 2011 comicMarvel Vault: Doctor Strange depicts the first night that Strange spent in the Sanctum Sanctorum.[7]
The Sanctum Sanctorum is a three-story townhouse located at 177ABleecker Street.[8][3] It is "in the heart of New York City'sGreenwich Village."[9] Contrary to fan theories that this address was meant to invoke221B Baker Street, the fictional domicile ofSherlock Holmes, it was actually a reference to the address of an apartment shared in the 1960s byRoy Thomas andGary Friedrich.[3][2] In the comics, the building was said to have been built upon a site where pagan sacrifices were performed, and Native American rituals before that, and serves as a focal point of supernatural energies. It was noted that as of 2016, the location could be found onGoogle Maps.[8]
The building's depiction has varied over the years, but some elements remain consistent. "The outside looks like atownhouse, while past a veil of magical force on the inside are various rooms with various mystical artifacts", as one source put it.[10] The building seems to have more space in its interior than its outside would suggest.[2] Some corridors become labyrinths, and the layout and arrangement of some rooms appears to shift on their own. 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 Sanctum Sanctorum is specifically the third floor of the building, home to Strange's meditation room and occult library, where he keeps theBook of the Vishanti, and his repository of ancient artifacts and objects of magical power, such as theOrb of Agamotto.[2]
The Sanctum consistently has a circular skylight with four swooping lines; this design has stayed with the building despite the window's destruction on many occasions. The design of the window is the Seal of the Vishanti, which protects the Sanctum from most supernatural invaders. It is also called the "Window of the Worlds," or the Anomaly Rue.[11] Certain members of the New Avengers appear to acknowledge this.Chemistro, a super-villain member of theHood'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.[12] In one story Baron Mordo was able to transport the house to another dimension.[13] The artistic directors of theMarvel Cinematic Universe film adaptation described it as a "turn-of-the-century empire—timeless, really—mixture of classical and neoclassical American architecture".[6]
Its main residents, apart from Strange, have been his lover/apprenticeClea, his manservantWong, and the apprentice sorcererRintrah.
The Sanctum Sanctorum became the headquarters of theNew Avengers for a time, having been magically disguised as an abandoned building designated as a futureStarbucks cafe. The run-down disguise extends to the interior of the building as needed, undetectable by even theExtremis armor ofIron Man.[volume & issue needed]
The building has also served as headquarters of theDefenders.[2]
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 theMidnight Sons storyline, while various heroes such as theNightstalkers,Ghost Rider, andJohnny Blaze were hiding inside.[volume & issue needed]
During theWorld War Hulk storyline, the Sanctum was invaded by the forces of the alienWarbound, its defensive enchantments and illusions shattered byHiroim.[14]
After the use of unacceptable dark magics in the fight against the Hulk, the Sanctum is invaded by the Hood's army, who are ultimately defeated amid much damage to the building. Doctor Strange is forced to retreat when the battle allows the government-sanctionedMighty Avengers to take over the Sanctum.Brother Voodoo is called in to neutralize the remnants of the defensive magics.[12]
On one occasion, Doctor Strange destroyed the defenses of the Sanctum to avoid their exploitation by a foe.[15]
The Sanctum Sanctorum appears inMarvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness #3.[18]
The Sanctum Sanctorum of Earth-1610 appears inUltimatum.[19]
TheNew York Sanctum appears in theMarvel Cinematic Universe filmsDoctor Strange (2016),[3][22]Thor: Ragnarok (2017),[3][23]Avengers: Infinity War (2018),[3][24]Avengers: Endgame (2019),[25]Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021),[26]Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022),[27][28] and in theDisney+ seriesWhat If...? (2021) episode "What If... Zombies?".
The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in "The Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown" and "Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop"Lego sets.[37][38]
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