Middle-earth

Location

Moria

Also known as Khazad-dûm, The Black Pit, The Mines of Moria, Hadhodrond

The greatest Dwarven city, delved beneath the Misty Mountains, abandoned after the awakening of a Balrog.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Type
City
Region
the Misty Mountains
Age
The Third Age
On the map
44%, 37%
Moria

On the interactive atlas

Coordinates shown here are approximate, marking this place on the shared atlas map for orientation rather than cartography. It sits on the Third Age layer.

View on the interactive atlas →

Geography

A vast underground realm of halls, stairs and anameless tunnels beneath Caradhras, Celebdil and Fanuidhol, lit by crystals and crossed by the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.

History

Founded in the First Age by Durin the Deathless, Moria grew into the wonder of the Dwarves. In T.A. 1980 the Dwarves delved too deep and released a Balrog; Khazad-dûm fell. Balin’s colony of 2989 was destroyed by Orcs.

People & inhabitants

Longbeard Dwarves in its prime; afterwards Orcs, Trolls and the Balrog.

Significance

The Fellowship passes through Moria; Gandalf falls fighting the Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.

Connections

The Doors of Durin open to Eregion; the East-gate opens to the Dimrill Dale and Lothlórien.

Events here

Figures of this place

Sources

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

  • The Silmarillion · 1977

    Posthumously edited. Contains the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.

  • The Hobbit · 1937

    Published in Tolkien’s lifetime. The primary narrative of Bilbo’s journey.

Related places