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Within the works of J.R.R. Tolkien are many locations and places that readers and viewers long to see for themselves. These places are some of the most important in all of Middle-Earth, are rich with history from Tolkien himself, and remain iconic to this day.
8 The Shire
In the northwest of Middle-Earth, in the region of Eriador, there lived the Hobbits. The Shire was free land, where Hobbits happily roamed, gardened, and traded wares with each other. Hobbits are one of the most well-known races in The Lord of the Rings, and the Shire is almost as famous as them for its beauty and peaceful nature.
For generations, The Shire remained utterly peaceful, a land of fruitful intent, with cereals, fruit, wood, and pipeweed at the ready, that was, until Gandalf sought someone looking to share in an adventure. The Shire and the Hobbits kept out of wars and did their best to keep to themselves, and The Shire is proof of their dedication to that trade.
7 Rivendell
One of the few Elven towns, Rivendell is the house of Elrond and is described as the Last Homely House East of the Sea. Its scope is breathtaking and features a peaceful and sheltered location for elves at the edge of a narrow gorge of the river Bruinen. It is well hidden and known only to the few worthy of entering the safety and love of Rivendell.
The importance of Rivendell isn’t just for its beauty, or being home for elves, but for where the Fellowship was first formed. It was here at Rivendell that Frodo Baggins brought the One Ring, and the Council of Elrond learned their fates were connected.
6 The Grey Havens
There lies great importance in The Grey Havens, due to it being the location where Elves departed their ships to Aman. Not only was it founded at the dawn of the Second Age, but it also harbors great importance to the elves for spiritual and cultural reasons, which is why it soon became one of the primary settlements of the Elven race.
The Grey Havens exists in beauty and is uncorrupted by evils. However, despite its welcoming nature for elves, it remains relatively sparse in its population, even though it is a major port. The Grey Havens is the last view for many elves who travel to the Blessed Realm, the Undying Lands.
5 Dead Marches
Swamplands are never an attractive sight, and in Middle-Earth, they are even worse than in reality. The Dead Marshes are east of the Emyn Muil and remain the final resting place for those involved in the Battle of Dagorlad during the War of the Last Alliance. Fallen soldiers were laid to rest here, and it received the name Dead Marches after the dreaded battle.
The Dead Marches house cursed magic of illusions, as some can see bodies floating in the water, despite the war being beyond old itself. This is described by Gollum as he helps guide Sam and Frodo to Mordor, an iconic location with an important history.
4 Minas Tirith
A prominent kingdom of Men, Gondor was founded by Isildur, who had a long line of kings. Its army of ships and military was mighty, but over the ages of Middle-Earth, Gondor was inherently weakened through the many attacks of Sauron’s allies, civil war, and ghastly plagues. It wasn’t until after Sauron’s final defeat in the Third Age that Gondor began to thrive once more.
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Minas Tirith is a greatly important location for its housing to mankind and the fact that it was the capital city of Gondor. Gondor is a bastion of man and the stronghold in which humanity was able to spread and flourish across Middle-Earth.
3 Old Forest
East of The Shire lies the Old Forest, a dark and tangled forest that many could get lost in. This forest was best avoided by Hobbits, who didn’t like adventure nor trouble, and plenty could be found at Old Forest. Luckily for Frodo, Sam, Mary, and Pippin, they had the aide of none other than Tom Bombadil, who has the only constructed dwelling in the forest.
Tom Bombadil’s home is located in a glade near the Withywindle and is a forest that the elves woke and taught to speak. The forest is wild and dangerous thanks to inhabitants like Old Man Willow, but the merry fellow Tom Bombadil adds peculiar importance to the forest, for his great cheer and power.
2 Isengard
Used as a major fortress of Gondor, Isengard was a great location to store one of the realm’s Palantíri. Due to the location of the Palantíri, and the vast forests around Isengard, Saruman elected to use the stronghold in the Third Age, which he used as a personal home and domain to bring forth orcs, destruction, and conquest in the name of Sauron.
Isengard became the location of great military power for the armies of Sauron, all thanks to the powerful wizard of Saruman the white. Defiling the valley by cutting down trees and grass would soon enrage the Ents and Huorns, which saw a battle led by Treebeard of Fangorn to attack Isengard.
1 Mount Doom
Perhaps no location in Middle-Earth is more evil and important than that of Mount Doom. Located deep in Mordor, this volcano is the location fo where the One Ring was forged. The One Ring, known by all as the Ruling Ringer of the Ring of Power, is the Dark Lord Sauron’s ultimate weapon against the goodness of Middle-Earth.
The location of Mount Doom is vastly important due to it being the only place where the One Ring can truly be destroyed. It is the ultimate destination for Frodo Baggins, the ringbearer, as well as his faithful companion, Samwise Gamgee.
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