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Gran Maru, Atkinos
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The first colony established in Schulmania, Gran Maru grew to become the largest city in the nation for centuries. It remains the only city to receive dual designation as a county. |
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Largest Ancient City in Schulmania |
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The island of Gran Maru was the first habitable land found off of Schulmanicus by early explorers. Discovered and settled by Governor Cawale, Gran Maru became incorporated as the first city off of the home island and was established as capital of the Atkinos District. The sprawling town takes up almost the entirety of the island, making it the largest city in both size and population in Schulmania for centuries. The city is best known as a jewel of ancient Temple Style architecture. The main promenade, Via Balenarossa, is lined with columned stone buildings serving various civic agencies, both local and national. Complimentary edifices, like a massive theater and formal museums and libraries all create a unified, timeless appeal to the thoroughfare. Several monuments have been added t o the civic square on Via Balenarossa over the years. The square, marked by the impressive and unique arch, has been graced by additional monuments to Governor Cawale, the Supreme Wirdle and Admiral Hestorb. Via Balenarossa terminates at the Civic Palace, the largest ancient structure in the nation. The Civic Palace, itself, sits as the center of another ring of commercial structures, many of which echo the formal Temple Style structures which define the town. Many of the surrounding neighborhoods and commercial districts in town are of the Island Styel architecture, first commonly used in Gran Maru and neighboring Atkinos. |
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The civic square at the heart of Gran Maru is the largest expression of Temple Style architecture in Schulmania. |
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Schulmania’s largest city for centuries, Gran Maru hosts large commercial interests and the mint for Atkinos District. |
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The seat of the city and county of Gran Maru is the Civic Palace, the largest ancient structure in Schulmania and the largest civic structure built in the first era of Schulmania. |
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A distinguishing feature of Gran Maru is its aqueduct system, the first such system in Schulmania and until Carmelcciase was built, the largest system in the nation. |
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One of the defining characteristics of the town is its elaborate aqueduct system, a first for Schulmania. The system was so well constructed that it still used today with only minor modifications. More recently, aqueduct technology was adapted for a new purpose—bridges. The first bridge in Schulmania was an audacious project—crossing the Cawale Strait. After extensive planning and construction, the new stone bridge was completed from the Gran Maru harbor across to the western shore of Atkinos. Despite this new transit option, the Gran Maru port remains one of the busiest in Schulmania, thanks to its central location. Governor Cawale rules the County of Gran Maru, which includes the city and undeveloped parts of the island, as well as the balance of Atkinos District, from Gran Maru. She has an elaborate home on the south side of town, one of the first homes of distinction in Schulmania. Her home sits near Southpark, the natural area which forms the southern boundary of the city. There are several parks in the city. One, in the center, surrounds the aqueduct system and allows for natural purification of the water used by the town. Another, on the northwest side of town, provides both natural areas and recreational facilities. The shore near the harbor has been upgraded and brought up to Risa standards, complete with sand, to improve tourism. |
