After conquering the Blasted Steps and defeating the Last Judge, Hornet pushes into the next stage of her journey in Hollow Knight: Silksong—the Grand Gate. This monumental structure marks the transition into the Choral Chambers and is the entry point to Act II. Having the Grand Gate map early on is great for orienting yourself within the Citadel’s layered pathways, benches, and hidden challenges.
Track your progress through Pharloom using our Hollow Knight: Silksong map!
Where to Find the Grand Gate Map in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Unlike most earlier areas where you had to track down Shakra to buy your maps, the Grand Gate offers an immediate purchase. Once the Last Judge is defeated, your path leads directly into the Grand Gate. From the site of the battle, continue moving to the right until you reach a pressure-sensitive platform.
Standing on this platform opens a door to the right, and stepping through brings you face-to-face with the towering gate itself. Just inside, you will find a machine displaying a model of the Citadel that can be inspected. This is your chance to purchase the 
Grand Gate Map for 40 Rosaries. The process is simple: interact with the machine, insert the Rosaries, and the map is yours.
What to Do After Buying the Grand Gate Map in Hollow Knight: Silksong
With the Grand Gate Map in hand, you can now safely push deeper into the Citadel. Continue moving right after purchasing it, and you’ll soon come across an elevator. Activating the switch drops the lift downwards, carrying Hornet into the depths. The descent is dramatic, it jolts a couple of times and requires you to hit the switch repeatedly. Eventually, the elevator breaks, causing Hornet to fall into the Underworks. The Underworks is a dangerous mechanical area below the Citadel.
When the elevator crashes, you can walk to the right and spend 15 Rosaries to raise a bench. Take the opportunity to rest here, but remember that these benches are only temporary. You’ll need to pay 15 Rosaries each time you want to use them. Once you’ve recovered, keep moving right to exit the Grand Gate and enter the Underworks.
In the Underworks, you will eventually find a new area called The Cauldron, where you can unlock a new ability: the Clawline. The Clawline is a grappling hook-like power that is an absolute must-have for exploring the rest of the game and accessing new shortcuts.
The journey through the Grand Gate and into the Underworks officially marks the beginning of the second act and is a major turning point in Hornet's quest to reach the top of Pharloom.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- September 4, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
- Team Cherry
