Rivendell

From t2twiki

Tolkien's inspiration for the appearance of Rivendell valley (Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland, where he went hiking in 1911).

Translated from the Sindarin name Imladris, meaning "deep valley of the cleft", Rivendell was established by Elrond in Second Age 1697, four or five thousand years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. It is currently home to such personages as Arwen Undómiel, her father Elrond Half-elven, Elrond's chief counsellor, Erestor, and the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

Rivendell is the starting location for characters of the Silvan race.