Grave

Grave (Myrish: Grâve), also known as City of Graves, is the capital and most populous city of Andemyr. As of 1 January 2020, the city had a population of 794,128 with 632,340 in Grave-Tula Municipality, 104,305 in Maletberg Municipality, 42,989 in Søtalta Municipality, and 14,494 in Rembaldt Municipality. It forms the core of the wider urban area of Grave (population 1,513,671) and the Grave metropolitan area (population 3,197,024). Grave is situated along the eastern coast of the Gravfyord in the province of Gravland. Another portion of the greater Grave area is along the western bank of the fjord and on the small islands of Teterbank and Pelsinger, and is separated from the neighboring city of Lila by the Strait of Lila. The Bridge of Lila connects the two cities by road and by rail.

Originally a Tafte fishing village established in the 9th century originating around the vicinity of what is now downtown Grave, Grave became to capital of Andemyr in the early 14th century following The Calamity of Tusmetsand. Beginning in the 17th century, Grave was considered a regional centre power of Northwestern Azora with its advanced institutions, defenses, armed forces, and size. During this time, the city of Lila split from Grave as its own individual city, not wanting to be considered part of the capital region and thus being a prime target for attacks. The city flourished as the cultural and economic center of the Myrish Empire under the crown, however after a small-scale plague outbreak in the city and the Great Fire of Grave leaving nearly 10,000 homeless, the city's prosperity dropped and a period of redevelopment commenced. This would turn out in favor of the city, resulting in some of the most famous structures in Grave today, including the Gunvor Structure, the Bendik Temple, and founding of several cultural institutions such as the Royal Theatre and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Further rebuilding in the mid-19th century, also known as the Myrish Golden Era, Grave had further reconstruction which resulted in the neoclassical aesthetic to Grave's architecture. Following the bombings of Grave during the Second Great War, Grave struggled to be rebuilt. However, following the purchasing of Munis, now Washdenong, in New Andemyr, Grave, as well as several other cities in Andemyr, regained the funds to rebuild. Further developments fostered the construction of housing and other businesses along railway lines sprouting from the city-center.

Since the turn of the 21st century, Grave has seen strong urban and cultural development, facilitated by investment in its institutions and infrastructure. The city is the cultural, economic and governmental centre of Andemyr; it is one of the major financial centres of Northern Azora with the Grave Stock Exchange. Grave's economy has seen rapid developments in the service sector, especially through initiatives in information technology, pharmaceuticals and clean technology. Since the completion of the Claussen Bridge, Grave has become increasingly integrated with the Tafte province of Lavland and its largest city, Tøsketa, forming the Claussen Region. With a number of bridges connecting the various districts, the cityscape is characterised by parks, promenades, waterfronts, and more.

Grave is home to the University of Grave, the Technical University of Andemyr, Grave Business School and the IT University of Grave. The University of Grave, founded in 1457, is the oldest university in Andemyr. Grave is home to several Alabu clubs. The annual Grave Marathon was established in 1980. Grave is also one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, hosting several annual bicycling races and events. Grave is ranked as one of the greenest metropolitan areas in Azora.