Mechanical Metropolis

My sense of direction is terrible, so naturally when I stumbled upon the colossal build of Celtanis, by Na7ac, I immediately tried to flee before I got lost!

Sadly, the complexity of the build, both in its technical circuitry and sprawling web of thoroughfares and walkways, confused me and I bolted straight into the heart of the labyrinth city. Now, lost in a myriad of streets and medieval fantasy buildings, I find myself chatting with the creator of this dense, handcrafted Minecraft city.

“I always loved architecture,” Na7ac tells me. “Especially the ancient, epic stuff like temples, strongholds, palaces and dungeons. I like the idea that those [structures] survived centuries and [were] occupied once.”

Celtanis, Na7ac’s very own ancient metropolis, is heavily influenced by his love of medieval and ancient architecture and his passion for the fantasy genre. However, while the desire to create an enormous testament to his architectural interests was there, he didn’t always have an outlet for it. “The idea to build my ancient city was in my head for a long time, without having a way to realise it. Minecraft made the whole idea doable.”

It was important to Na7ac that this city should be life-size and functional. The city should feel like a real city, with industry and life flowing through it. There are houses - all of them furnished - taverns, workplaces and infrastructure.

Na7ac populated this stone city with everything he thought it would need for self-sufficiency; workplaces, forges, farms, sewers and blast furnaces to name but a few. The list is as extensive as it is exhaustive.

“Go to the tree nursery to plant and chop trees,” Na7ac says. “Visit the sawmill to cut them into planks - the shipyard requires planks to build ships. There is a whole supply chain all over the city, supporting nearly 100 items.”

“Nothing in this city is just [for] show,” Na7ac says. “The windmills spin in the wind and the mighty city gates can be opened and closed. Visiting the observatory at night gives you a glimpse at the stars and staying at the academy increases your experience. You can get food in the taverns and do crafting at the workplaces.”

He’s designed this world to be fully inhabitable, with everything a Minecraft player needs to survive, should they wish to live here. I even live here now! Mainly because I can’t find the way out, but still!

Na7ac explains that it’s deeply important to him that his builds are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. “I don’t want to create a mega build where things are just there and doing nothing.”

Though it’s important to note that the redstone circuitry was built for Minecraft version 1.9.2 and doesn’t work in newer versions, this map is definitely worth exploring. For example, there’s a storage system that sorts and stores up to two million items of each type. The manufactories use these to create more products.

There's even something of a printing press happening in the Bindery. One incoming chest holds leather, while another has paper. An outgoing chest holds the books crafted from these two interacting. There are similar processes occurring all over the city, such as in the taverns and armouries, and the products are deposited in the areas where they are most likely to be of service.

Celtanis is an industrial powerhouse, a city that lives and breathes production. Though it has no real inhabitants to enjoy the fruits of its labour, it’s nice to know that it’s there, churning away, patiently awaiting any Minecrafter who needs it. Or gets lost in it. Um, little help?