The Lego construction set is certainly the most versatile, and popular, building set that has ever been invented. With its modular elements, it has the capability to create almost anything imaginable. Now, this year, the designers at Lego have created what is perhaps the most elaborate set in its series designed around the Harry Potter stories. Released in October 2010, the newest version of Hogwarts Castle has 1290 pieces, one of the biggest special purpose sets they have released, and certainly one of the most anticipated.
This latest set comes with a cast of nine characters - Harry (of course!), Hermoine Granger, Lord Voldemort, Albus Dumbledore, Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick, Argus Fitch together with his cat, Mrs Norris, and two Dementors. These cast members can play through four different rooms in the new castle. The sections is the open Astronomy Tower, which is part of the Library. The Room of Requirement is also a part of this tower. Among the furnishings for this area are some books, a telescope, and the Vanishing Cabinet.
Next to the Astronomy Tower is the highest part of the building, which most likely represents Gryffindor Tower. This tower contains a variety of smaller rooms. These include the Gryffindor Common Room, the Syltherin Room, the Owlery, and a room which could be Filch's Office. There is also a fireplace through which Sirius and Harry could exchange messages. This tower is provided with a variety of chairs and tables.
The centerpiece of the set is the Great Hall. Real improvements are evident when this set is compared to the previous version of this castle. For one, the ceiling is now constructed of Lego pieces, as opposed to cardboard in the previous set. The Hall contains two long tables, and staff chairs. The Sorting Hat is also included.
The last building in the structure contains a tower with a partially open top. Below that there are two rooms. The lower room contains a spiral staircase. The room above it is Dumbledore's office. This set is one of only two Lego sets that include an Invisibility Cloak. The other set is the new Lego Hogwarts Express Set 4841. The cast of characters provided with this set includes three new characters - Mrs. Norris, Argus Filch, and Professor Flitwick.
There have been three prior Lego versions of Hogwarts Castle. The first was set 4709, was about half the size of the new set, at least in terms of piece count (682 pieces). It had just seven characters. The set was very well received, and was given very good rating by buyers of the set. Details included revolving portraits, owls in the spires, and flaming torches. New, unopened copies of this rare set can still be found - see the links at the end of the article.
The next version of the Castle Lego released was Set 4757, taken from the story: The Prisoner of Azkaban. This set was larger than the first, with 927 pieces. It included the Clock Tower, with a swinging pendulum, as well as Professor Trelawney's classroom. Gryffindor Tower was included with the set, which also included two Dementors. In addition to them, the cast of mini-figures included Harry, Hermoine Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco MalfoyProfessor Dumbledore, and Professor Trelawney. For the die-hard Potter {fan|collector), a few copies of this set can still be found, but they are not cheap! The end of this article has the needed link.
The latest prior version of the Hogwarts Castle was Set 5378, which followed the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Released in July, 2007, it was the most elaborate Castle version yet. With 943 pieces, it was slightly bigger than its predecessor, and had more cast members, nine in all, including Dolores Umbridge. Another interesting feature of this set was the inclusion of two Thestral mini-figures. This set is also limited in availability.
The newest version of Legos Hogwarts Castle is likely to be the most popular of all of them, and will certainly be in very limited supply for a while. If you want to give one for Christmas, it would be a good idea to order it soon! See the Resource Box for links to price comparisons and availability.
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