The Citadel is an ancient long standing mass relay station that was created by the Reapers as a gateway to dark space. For hundreds of years, it was believed to of been a station constructed by the Protheans, though its true purpose was discovered when the rogue spectre Saren attempted to activate the relay and release the Reapers upon the galaxy. It survived Saren’s attack, and it survived attempted attacks by Cerberus and the Reaper invasion itself. It serves as the central political, financial, and cultural capital of the Galactic Federation of Allied Systems. A vast majority of civilizations and governments within the galaxy have councilors serving onboard the galactic council, as well as embassies to represent their interest.