Citadel 7 was the only Citadel-Project station still existing as of 20 ABY out of the original nine stations. The other eight were dismantled or destroyed. Built over 150 years BBY, the station was designed and funded by the Interstellar Wisdom Society, a Philanthropic and Philosophic group comprised of wealthy Republic citizens. The Citadel project was undertaken by the Republic as an effort to construct several large space stations at key strategic points throughout the Galaxy. Most were placed at Hyperspace junction points, to assist travelers and discourage pirates. Some were constructed at the very edges of the Republic, to watch for possible threats from the Unknown Regions and Wild Space. Citadel 7 was of the latter.