Shadow Temple

The Shadow Temple is the seventh dungeon in Ocarina of Time. It is found in the back of the graveyard in Kakariko Village in a little alcove only accessible using the Nocturne of Shadow. It is filled with undead creatures, deadly twisted traps, and mind-bending puzzles everywhere all designed to trap anyone who enters the crypt. It is also filled to the brim with invisible walls and passageways only visible using the Lens of Truth. The boss of the temple is Bongo Bongo, an undead monster consisting of a giant torso, one protruding eye, and two huge disembodied hands beating on a giant drum. It is never sufficiently explained why there is a giant drum in the basement. The mini-boss of this dungeon is Dead Hand; it is unknown whether or not this is the same one as at the Bottom of the Well.

"Shadow Temple... Here is gathered Hyrule's bloody history of greed and hatred..."

- Mysterious voice in the Shadow Temple

Many players think this is the scariest temple, probably due to the numerous traps and surprises, the darkening senses, as well as the overall atmosphere. Some of walls and floor are stained with blood, and torture equipment is located in several rooms. Therefore the counterpart to the Shadow Temple during young Link's journey is the Kakariko Well, sharing similar rooms and background music.

Minor Enemies and Traps

 * Keese
 * ReDeads
 * Gibdos
 * Wallmasters
 * Skulltulas
 * Stalfos
 * Beamos
 * Blue Bubbles
 * Green Bubbles
 * Floormasters
 * Invisible floors, walls, and spiked floors, fake walls/floors, swirling scythes, guillotines, falling platforms with spikes, tiles shooting flames, walls with spikes moving towards each other, poisonous gunge (Bongo Bongo's room).
 * Blade Traps
 * And to most players, the background music is the most deadly enemy in the entire dungeon

Weight and Illusion
These are the two keys to finishing the Shadow Temple: being able to see through illusion and the adjusting of one's weight, from lighter than air to being heavy enough to walk on the ocean floor. Without being able to do either, the Shadow Temple cannot be finished.

"Make my beak face the Skull of Truth. An alternative route is a descent into the darkness."

- Bird Statue

A little used strategy in the Shadow Temple is when Link comes across the fans, the Iron Boots can be used to resist their push. The Hover Boots on the other hand, are known by all to be used to cross large gaps otherwise uncrossable.

The Lens of Truth reduces the difficulty of the Shadow Temple drastically, particularly against Bongo Bongo.

"One who gathers the Eye of Truth will be able to see what is hidden in the darkness."

- Mysterious Voice in the Shadow Temple

Trivia

 * The Shadow Temple, the Spirit Temple, and Dodongo's Cavern are the only dungeons that can be entered by both Adult Link and Young Link. However, Young Link can make no progress upon entering, due to his lack of the Hookshot.


 * The boat in the temple resembles the Ghost Ship in Phantom Hourglass due to the head and hands holding the bells.