Breath of the Wild isn't just a game about hitting goblins with sticks. It’s a tragedy. Honestly, when people go looking for botw 17 of 24, they usually just want the map coordinates for the "Silent Princess" memory. But if you just run to the spot, grab the glowing light, and fast-travel away, you’re missing the entire point of Link’s relationship with Zelda. This specific memory, titled "Silent Princess," is arguably the most important narrative beat in the entire 100-year-old backstory. It’s the moment the mask slips.
Where is BOTW 17 of 24 Actually Located?
Finding it is kinda tricky if you're just eyeballing the Sheikah Slate photos. You need to head to the Ridgeland region. Specifically, you are looking for a spot northwest of Hyrule Castle, just south of the Salari Hill area. It’s tucked away in a quiet, grassy patch near two trees.
Most players get turned around because the background of the photo looks like every other hill in Central Hyrule. It’s not. Look for the specific silhouette of the castle in the distance; the angle is everything. If you see the Monya Toma Shrine, you're in the right neighborhood. Just head southeast from there.
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The Scientific Frustration of a Princess
In this memory, we see Zelda examining a flower—the Silent Princess. It’s an endangered species. She’s obsessed with it. Why? Because she sees herself in it. She’s a princess who can’t bloom. Her father is breathing down her neck, the Calamity is coming, and her "sacred power" is nowhere to be found.
It’s heavy stuff.
The dialogue here is some of the best writing in the game. Zelda talks about how the flower can't be grown in captivity. It only thrives in the wild. Basically, she’s screaming into the void about her own lack of agency. Link is just standing there, being the stoic bodyguard he is, which clearly gets on her nerves. You can feel the tension. It’s awkward. It’s real.
Why This Specific Memory Ranks So High
A lot of the memories are just "Zelda is sad" or "Zelda is exploring a ruin." But botw 17 of 24 is different. It’s the turning point for her character arc. Up until this point, she’s been somewhat cold to Link. She resents him because he’s a living reminder of her own "failure." He has his master sword; he’s a prodigy. She has nothing but old books and relics that won't turn on.
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When she spots a frog—the Hot-Footed Frog—and tries to get Link to eat it for "scientific research," it’s one of the few times we see her actually acting like a person and not a political figurehead. It’s funny, weird, and deeply humanizing.
- The flower represents her stifled potential.
- The frog represents her desperate, almost manic desire for a breakthrough.
- Link's silence represents the burden of expectation.
If you’re hunting for all the memories to get the "true" ending, this one is the emotional glue. Without it, her eventual sacrifice at Fort Hateno doesn't carry the same weight. You need to see her at her most vulnerable to care about her at her most heroic.
Common Mistakes When Hunting Memories
Don’t rely on the numbering system too much in-game. The quest log lists them one way, but the actual chronological order of the 18 main memories is different. Botw 17 of 24 specifically refers to the 17th slot in the overall cinematic gallery, which includes the four Divine Beast memories and the Master Sword memory.
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If your list looks messy, it’s probably because you haven't pulled the sword from the Stone in the Korok Forest yet. That counts as a memory too.
Also, watch out for Guardians. The area around Salari Hill is relatively safe, but as you move closer to the castle to line up your shot, the "piano music of death" is never far away. Bring ancient arrows or at least a decent shield. Seriously.
How to Unlock the Final Memory
Once you've collected all the base memories, including the elusive botw 17 of 24, you have to head back to Impa in Kakariko Village. She’s been waiting. She’ll show you a painting on her wall that points to the final location: Ash Swamp.
This is the "Battle of Fort Hateno." It’s where the story ends and Link’s 100-year nap begins. You can't get there without finishing the others first. It’s the ultimate payoff for all that hiking.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you are stuck on 17 of 24, do these three things right now:
- Check your Slate: Make sure you aren't actually looking for the "Shelter from the Storm" memory instead. They look similar in the thumbnails if you're squinting.
- Talk to Pikango: The traveling artist is your best friend. He hangs out at various stables (specifically Outskirt Stable or Serenne Stable for this region) and will give you the exact direction you need.
- Wait for Dayplay: The lighting for memory 17 is much easier to spot during the day. At night, the Silent Princess flowers glow, which is cool, but it makes finding the specific "interaction prompt" on the ground way harder because of the visual clutter.
Go to the Ridgeland. Find the trees. Watch the cutscene. Don't skip the dialogue this time. It actually matters.