JRR Tolkien's fantasy world of Middle Earth is the setting for his trilogy The Lord of the Rings. These books are filled with vivid imagery of mountains, stretching forests, and towering cities. Obviously, there are more landmarks and attractions to see within Tolkien's expansive world, but here are my top 5 choices, if I could visit anywhere in Middle Earth.
5. Lothlorien
The home of Galadriel and Celeborn holds one of the top spots on this list, due to the unique nature of the trees that live there. Mallorn trees, as Tolkien has Legolas describe them, have gold leaves in the fall, but these leaves don't fall from the trees until spring, when they are replaced with yellow flowers. Thus, the forests's nickname as "The Golden Wood".
4. Glittering Caves
Gimli was introduced to the Glittering Caves when he, Aragorn, and Legolas traveled to Helm's Deep. These caves feature veins of ore and precious gems- enough to turn the head of any dwarf. This location in Middle Earth is found under the White Mountains, and has an entrance in Helm's Deep in Rohan. Gimli became the first Lord of the Glittering Caves when he started a dwarf colony here, following the War of the Ring.
3. Minas Tirith
The city of Minas Tirith is a wonder in Middle Earth. Standing near the borders of Mordor, Minas Tirith's white tower and citadel stand as a beacon to all men of Gondor. Minas Tirith has seven levels within the city, ringed by their own wall, leading up to the Citadel. These levels act as their own defense, because in order to reach the next level, one must follow the circular level to the gate at the other end of the city.
2. Rivendell
"The last homely house east of the sea" is the home of Lord Elrond. This elven home is situated in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. Bilbo Baggins described Rivendell best when he called it "a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all."
1. The Argonath
The Argonath, found on the River Anduin, is a Gondorian monument, built in the Third Age of Middle Earth. On either side of the river is a massive statue of Anárion and Isildur, sons of Elendil. Elendil was the High King of Arnor, while his sons jointly ruled Gondor. This towering monument tops the list of places I would visit in Middle Earth, if simply for the sheer size and grandeur that they represent.
Middle Earth is a large country, filled with landmarks and interesting cities. While I've narrowed down my travel list, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't see more. If you could go to Middle Earth and see anything, where would you go?