Hogwarts: discover the history of the Harry Potter school

Filled with magic and fantasy, the Harry Potter Saga became a true literary landmark, which was later adapted to cinema and also in digital games. And with the arrival of Hogwarts Legacymany fans are excited about all the possibilities that the title could bring in the field of entertainment.

• Harry Potter: what is the order of the films and where to watch?

But do you know all the details about the history of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Below, you can check out a complete guide with a lot of information about the foundation of this institution that is so important to the Saga and take the opportunity to get in the mood for the new game.

Hogwarts Coat of Arms: the main school of Witchcraft and Wizardry of the Harry Potter Saga. (Editor Rocco/Reproduction)Source: Editora Rocco

Who are the founders of Hogwarts?

To begin with, you need to remember something that was already present in the original books. Hogwarts was founded during the 10th century, in the medieval period around 993 AD, by four different wizards: Godric Gryffindor (Gryffindor), Helga Hufflepuff (Hufflepuff), Rowena Ravenclaw (Ravenclaw) and Salazar Slytherin (Slytherin).

In this way, each of them was also responsible for an institutional area, creating something that became known as the House. From then on, using their respective surnames to baptize these Houses, as new students arrived, integration took place through the personality characteristics of each one of them.

House Gryffindor (Gryffindor), for example, has brave and fearless young people. House Slytherin (Slytherin) summons ambitious students. Meanwhile, House Ravenclaw (Ravenclaw) deals with the smartest and, finally, Hufflepuff (Hufflepuff) embraces all those who are kind and loyal at heart.

• Hogwarts Houses: discover the characteristics of each one

As a central motto, the institution uses the teaching “Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus” (also spelled as Draco Dormiens Nvnqvam Titillandvs), which in Latin means something like “never poke a sleeping dragon”.

On commemorative dates and also at the beginning of each term, students gather in the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle. (Warner Bros. Pictures/Playback)Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

According to studies of wizarding historians, there was a great disagreement between Slytherin and the other teachers in the early days of Hogwarts due to their purist beliefs. By all indications, the wizard did not want to accept wizards who were not of a pure bloodline. From this, the wizard would have left the institution shortly after the construction of a secret chamber, intended for a Slytherin heir.

Hogwarts: where is Harry Potter’s school?

According to the mythology found in the books, it is possible to argue that Hogwarts is located in the United Kingdom among the Scottish highlands, however without much precision. To be accepted into the institution, you must receive an admission letter at the age of eleven. From there, students are directed to take a train on the infamous Platform 9 ¾ to the castle.

Interestingly, Muggles who have contact with Hogwarts are unable to visualize it the way it really is. Reports from researchers claim that the school can camouflage itself as an abandoned castle so as not to attract attention. With this method quite common among magical institutions, everyone can study safely and undisturbed.

Harry, Ron and Hermione visit Hogsmeade. (Warner Bros. Pictures/Playback)Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Furthermore, as it functions as a boarding school, parents can safely send their children to spend the semester at the school, as there is support from the British Ministry of Magic in every way.

It is also known that Hogwarts is close to the village of Hogsmeade, where there are restaurants, bars, shops and distinguished residents. It is worth noting that this location was the setting for some of the Saga’s creepy adventures.

Hogwarts teachers: what is the institution’s curriculum?

Throughout the seven-book narrative, some illustrious professors were approached, especially those who occupied the Defense Against the Dark Arts chair, one of the most important disciplines in the curriculum.

Among the most notable are Quirinus Quirrell, Gilderoy Lockhart, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, Dolores Umbridge, Bartholomew Crouch Jr. (as Alastor Moody) and Galatea Merrythought.

It is worth noting that, each year, students can improve their skills by enrolling in mandatory and elective courses.

In his 3rd year, Harry Potter was enrolled in the Care of Magical Creatures course. (Warner Bros. Pictures/Playback)Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Doing a survey on these subjects, it is possible to state that Spells, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, History of Magic and Astronomy are mandatory within the curriculum. But there are also Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies and Study of Ancient Runes as electives.

Hogwarts still has extracurricular activities so that students from all Houses feel welcomed and can develop even more magical mechanisms. For this reason, Ancient Studies, Alchemy, Apparition, Arts, Flight, and Quidditch groups are available.

In this sense, it is important to mention other professors such as Albus Dumbledore (Transfiguration), one of the most famous headmasters of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall (Transfiguration), Filius Flitwick (Charms), Sybil Trelawney (Divination), Horace Slughorn (Potions), Rolanda Hooch ( Flight), Sinister Aurora (Astronomy), Pomona Sprout (Herbology), Rubeus Hagrid (Care of Magical Creatures) and even Neville Longbottom, who becomes professor of Herbology.

Hogwarts: other curiosities of the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

With several halls, dungeons, libraries, classrooms and other places to be explored by students, Hogwarts also keeps some secrets. Some of them were shown in films adapted from the books of the Saga, including the famous Room of Requirement, which has already been the scene of several adventures.

In this place, students can have a refuge for something they really need. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixthe room served as a base for Dumbledore’s Army, which studied Defense Against the Dark Arts techniques in greater depth in order to defeat the threats that were emerging at that time.

Hogwarts was once guarded by dementors. (Warner Bros. Pictures/Playback)Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Within this context, it is also possible to mention other important places that are on the institution’s property, such as the Salgueiro Lutador, one of the oldest trees present in the school and which serves as a secret passage to the House of Screams. There’s also the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts, where countless magical creatures can be found, including the frightening Acromantulas.