Alqualondë

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 18:22, 29 June 2008 by 196.25.255.218 (talk)
Alqualondë
City
File:Ted Nasmith - The Kinslaying at Alqualondë.jpg
General Information
LocationBeside Belegaer, between the Calacirya and Araman
TypeCity
DescriptionSeaside city of pearl and mother-of-pearl
RegionsOlwë and his people
People and History
InhabitantsFalmari
EventsFirst Kinslaying
GalleryImages of Alqualondë

Alqualondë was the chief city of the Falmari on the shores of Valinor. The city is said to be north and east of Tirion between the Calacirya and Araman in northern Eldamar.

Description

The city was built in a natural harbour made of rock, and was also walled. Other than the great harbours it also housed the Tower of Olwë. The city was covered with the pearls the Elves had found in the sea and jewels which they obtained from the Noldor. The famed swanships were moored here.


"{{{Many jewels the Noldor gave them, opals and diamonds and pale crystals, which they strewed upon the shores and scattered in the pools; marvelous were the beaches of Elende in those days. And many pearls they won for themselves from the sea; and their halls were of pearl, and of pearl were the mansions of Olwe at Alqualonde, the Haven of the Swans, lit with many lamps. For that was their city, and the Haven of their ships; and those were made in likeliness of swans, with the beaks of gold and eyes of gold and jet.}}}" Of Eldamar, The Silmarillion

History

Alqualondë is perhaps best known as the site of the First Kinslaying recounted in The Silmarillion.

Inhabitants

Etymology

Alqualondë means "Swanhaven" in Quenya (from alqua = "swan", londë = "harbor, haven"). The Sindarin equivalent would be Alflond.