Darth Vader’s fortress on Mustafar is one of the darkest and more impressive locations in the Star Wars canon. Built directly over a powerful dark side nexus and right above the lava banks where Anakin Skywalker lost his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fortress Vader is a major symbol of the Dark Lord and his legacy.
Across multiple Star Wars eras, Fortress Vader has played a fascinating role at various points in the Sith Lord’s dark side journey. Here are 8 of the biggest canonical Star Wars moments that took place in Fortress Vader, from its construction to its role in Kylo Ren’s dark side journey.
Darth Vader Builds His Fortress To Revive Padmé Amidala
In canon, Fortress Vader was constructed shortly after Revenge of the Sith with guidance from Emperor Palpatine. Built atop a powerful Sith dark side nexus on Mustafar, the fortress was built based on designs by the spirit of the Sith Architect Darth Momin, still trapped within his mask Palpatine gave Vader (capable of possessing those who wore it).
After nine failed designs, Fortress Vader was built: the perfect conduit capable of channeling Darth Vader’s power amplified by the nexus underneath. With this power, Darth Vader was able to access the Netherworld to try and bring back his deceased wife, Padmé Amidala (though he ultimately failed).
Darth Vader Ends His Hunt For Obi-Wan Kenobi
During the Imperial era known as the “Dark Times”, Vader was obsessed with hunting down his former master following his reemergence in 2022’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Confronting each other twice as Obi-Wan sought to rescue a kidnapped young Princess Leia and get her back to her father, Kenobi defeated Vader on a remote moon, damaging his armor and returning to Tatooine to watch over Luke.
Returning to Fortress Vader to repair his armor, Vader was determined to find Kenobi once more. However, Darth Sidious/Palpatine gave his apprentice a veiled threat if he were unable to move beyond his past, motivating Vader to bring an end to his relentless hunt for the time being.
Darth Vader Tries To Resurrect Padme (Again)
Using the Mustafar nexus and a recovered mythical device known as an Aeon Engine, Vader attempted another dark ritual to bring Padmé back, as seen in Star Wars’ canonical VR series Vader Immortal. Unfortunately, the ritual was interrupted, and the Engine was destroyed. However, Vader was able to briefly see an incomplete manifestation of his late wife, suggesting that it might have actually worked.
A Rebel Infiltration Into Fortress Vader
Another canonical VR experience from ILM, Secrets of the Empire stars a group of Rebel infiltrators disguised as stormtroopers to steal Imperial intelligence and technology from an outpost near Fortress Vader. Set shortly before A New Hope, Vader himself personally intervenes, though the Rebels are ultimately extracted just in time by K-2SO.
Director Krennic Visits Fortress Vader
In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Director Orson Krennic visits Mustafar to report directly to Vader. Threatened by the Dark Lord and warned against additional failures, Vader told Krennic that he was to make certain Galen Erso had not compromised the Death Star in any way.
Taking this to mean that he was still in command of the Death Star, Krennic hoped that Vader would speak to the Emperor on his behalf, only for the Dark Lord to Force Choke the director, warning him not to “choke on his aspirations.”
The Knights of Ren Infiltrate Fortress Vader
Canon comics reveal that the Knights of Ren infiltrated Fortress Vader when the group of dark side warriors were in league with Lady Qi’ra and Crimson Dawn between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
Tasked with stealing a Sith relic needed for Qi’ra’s plans known as the Screaming Key, one of the Knights of Ren was slain by Vader, while the rest of the group fled Mustafar.
Anakin’s Force Ghost Saves Rebels From Fortress Vader
Canonical comics have also revealed that a group of Rebels found themselves trapped within Fortress Vader shortly after the original trilogy of Star Wars films. Captured and tormented by Fortress Vader’s still-living caretaker, Vaneé, the group manage to escape, having been unknowingly led out of the castle by the Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker himself.
Kylo Ren Discovers Fortress Vader’s Secret Vault
As seen in the recent Legacy of Vader comic series set between The Last Jedi and Rise of Skywalker, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren visited his grandfather’s castle on Mustafar and encountered Vaneé, who himself had become more machine than man in the decades since his master’s death.
Through Vaneé, Kylo Ren learned more about Vader’s past and the source of his power. However, the series ends with Kylo Ren entering Fortress Vader’s secret vault, essentially giving Kylo Ren his own Dagobah moment in the Force.