Optional · Updated 2026-10-24
Old Yharnam
Old Yharnam is an optional route from Cathedral Ward to the Blood-starved Beast. Djura fires from the tower above its rooftops. Darkbeast Paarl connects to the district, but his arena must be entered from the Hypogean Gaol / Yahar'gul side, not by descending through Old Yharnam.
The route below separates the first visit from the later back entrance. Skipping Old Yharnam does not block every route to Amelia, but killing the Blood-starved Beast opens the Healing Church Workshop route in Cathedral Ward.
Lamp to the Blood-starved Beast
From the Old Yharnam lamp, open the warning-covered double doors. Cross toward the ruined buildings and use their walls to break Djura's line of fire. The tower ladder is an optional confrontation, not the road to the boss.
Continue through the Ritual Hall and out toward the lower streets. After the hall, inspect the doorway past the small bridge: its ladder leads back to a one-way gate and opens a shortcut around the hall.
In the lower streets, a Scourge Beast bursts through an ornate house door. Climb the spiral stairs inside and open the gate back toward the starting rooftops. Use this lamp shortcut before continuing down the parish street to the Church of the Good Chalice and the Blood-starved Beast.
Paarl is a separate approach
Reach Paarl through the prison side of Hypogean Gaol / Yahar'gul. Defeating him lets you open the large door into lower Old Yharnam. This is a connection opened from the other side, not a second boss you can reach by dropping from this first-visit route.
Djura without a fight
For a peaceful approach, encounter Paarl first, then approach Djura from the back through the Graveyard of the Darkbeast or Church of the Good Chalice route without entering his firing line. Climb to him and choose to spare the beasts. His character page explains the conditions and rewards.
Questions
Is Old Yharnam required?
It is optional for the main ending. The Blood-starved Beast is its first-visit boss and opens a useful alternative route through the Healing Church Workshop.
Can I walk from Old Yharnam straight into Paarl's arena?
Not on the first approach. Enter the arena from Hypogean Gaol / Yahar'gul, defeat Paarl, then open the connecting door into Old Yharnam.