The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
First established shortly before II 8001
Location
At the mouth of the river Gwathló
Origins
Originally constructed as a harbour and shipyard by Aldarion of Númenor
Race
Division
Culture
Outflow
The haven stood at the head of the firth through which Gwathló emptied into the Great Sea
Meaning
This was the 'middle' haven because it lay between the Grey Havens to the north and the port of Pelargir to the south
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 1 August 2025
  • Updates planned: 1

Great Middle Haven

The port at the mouth of the Gwathló

The translated name of the harbour of Lond Daer Enedh (Elvish lond 'harbour, haven', daer 'great', enedh 'middle') built at the mouth of the river Gwathló or Greyflood. It was so named because it stood approximately halfway between the havens of Mithlond to the north and Pelargir to the south. It was originally founded by Aldarion as the first permanent Númenórean settlement on the shores of Middle-earth, but soon fell into ruin and had to be rebuilt. At the time of the War of the Ring, nearly six thousand years later, its remains could still be seen at the river mouth.


Notes

1

The precise date of the haven's founding is not recorded, but we do know that it was established by Aldarion during a voyage that preceded his recognition as the King's Heir. That event took place in II 800, so we can reliably date the founding of the haven to the later years of the eighth century of the Second Age.

The haven was originally known as the New Haven (Vinyalondë), but it had various other names throughout its history. It seems to have become known as the 'Great Middle Haven' some considerable time after its founding, because the 'Middle' of its name is relative to the Númenórean haven of Pelargir, far to the south. Pelargir was not founded until II 2350 (about 1,500 years after the Great Haven), so the name 'Great Middle Haven' cannot have appeared before that date.

The further history of the Great Middle Haven is not recorded in any detail. It still existed in some form at the end of the Third Age, and is marked on maps from that time, but by then it was long unused and had fallen into ruin.

See also...

Great Haven

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About this entry:

  • Updated 1 August 2025
  • Updates planned: 1

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