The Kirkwall Chantry towers above the opulant estates of Hightown, rivalled by the Viscount's Keep only. It serves as a symbol as much as it does a place of worship, a symbol of the Chantry's stranglehold over Kirkwall, and it's iron grip on the mages and citizens alike.

Built following the collapse of Tevinter influence in Kirkwall as a result of the slave rebellion, the construction was completed primarily by the Orlesian Empire during their rather long reign in this region following their expansion into northern Thedas.