T is for... Tolkien

T is for J. R. R. Tolkien, of course!

Couldn't go through the A to Z without mentioning him once. Over one hundred years ago, in 1911, before he'd begun to write most if not all of his legends and stories, Tolkien went on a hiking tour in Switzerland.

Now a company called Alpenwild is featuring recreations of Tolkien's trip:



Lots of places claim to be the "real" Middle-earth, though of course it all depends on which part of Middle-earth you're seeking to experience. Hurst Green in Lancashire, which I visited two years ago, is undoubtedly close to what The Shire must be like.

Lauterbrunnen, meanwhile, where Tolkien walked in 1911, might just be the inspiration for Rivendell.

Here are three pictures that Tolkien drew of Rivendell:



from M Gray's page

And here are some Google screenshots of Lauterbrunnen:



I'd like to take the Tolkien tour myself someday, though it's rather far from Geneva (says the one who's come all the way from Canada!) and I'm afraid of heights.

The tour concludes at the new Greisinger Museum, a private collection of Tolkien and Hobbit related items now open to the public:


Sounds like a great trip!

Which museums devoted to authors have you visited?

Comments

Sara C. Snider said…
Taking a Tolkien tour would be fun. Those pictures are gorgeous. Would love to visit someday. :)
Looks a great tour. Some are so uninspiring but this one comes with beautiful scenery!
I can see the inspiration from those photos. Hope you get to take the tour.
Nas said…
Sounds great! Do take the tour!
M Pax said…
Neat that there is a Tolkein tour. I'd probably enjoy that.
Unknown said…
Nice drawings! I had no idea he had artistic talent as well.
Anonymous said…
Sounds cool, and really, I'd take any excuse to visit Switzerland - it's beautiful. I've visited museums dedicated to Mark Twain and Balzac.

-Vicki
Deniz Bevan said…
Hope I can go on a tour and share photos of that with you guys too.
Ooh, a Twain museum. I'd like to visit!