The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Location
Along the eastern margins of Aman
Origins
Raised by the Valar as a defence against Morgoth
Race
Settlements
Ilmarin, the mansions of Manwë and Varda, stood atop the mountain of Taniquetil in the central parts of the range
Important peaks
Passes
Pronunciation
Aman is pronounced 'a'man'
Meaning
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 8 August 2023
  • This entry is complete

Mountains of Aman

The defences of Valinor

Map of the Mountains of Aman

The great mountain range that the Valar raised along the coastlands of Aman to keep their land of Valinor safe from Melkor, after he destroyed their original dwelling-place at Almaren. Also called the Pelóri, the Mountains of Defence, they were the tallest of all mountains, and the tallest of the Pelóri was Taniquetil, on which stood the high mansions of Manwë and Varda. Behind them to the West, the Light of the Trees shone, but the narrow shores beneath their eastern feet were in darkness.

When the Eldar came to Aman, the Valar cut a rift in the Mountains, the Calacirya, to let the Light shine through them. In that pass, the Vanyar and the Noldor built the city of Tirion, and the Pass of Light looked out onto the Bay of Eldamar. The Light of the Trees shone out across that Bay and lit the isle of Tol Eressëa, where the Teleri dwelt in those ancient days.


Notes

1

It should be said that the southern mountain of Hyarmentir is not absolutely identified as part of the Mountains of Aman. Given its description and location, it very likely belonged to the range, but this is not stated outright.

See also...

Aman, The Fair

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 8 August 2023
  • This entry is complete

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