Gondolin

Gondolin is a unique elven city founded in FA 116 as it was known to be a safe sanctuary that was hidden from the eyes of Morgoth. The hidden city is located in the valley of Tumladen, in the middle of Beleriand. Gondolin was built by Turgon the Wise, a Ñoldorin lord from the First Age. It became a haven for the Ñoldor and the Sindar. Gondolin was the longest enduring Ñoldorin kingdom, lasting for almost four centuries. The city is also known by other names such as Gar Thurion, Gwarestrin, Ondolindë, Gondothlimbar, and Gondobar. [1]​

The story of Gondolin can be found in The Silmarillion. In FA 50, Ulmo, the Vala lord of waters, showed the Vale of Tumladen’s location to Turgon the Ñoldorin Lord in his dream. Turgon left his kingdom in Nevrast to look for the valley. Three years after, Turgon was able to find the mysterious vale. The valley was located within the encircling mountains, east of the Sirion River and west of Dorthonion. The vale was a circular level plain that was surrounded by sheer walls on every side. There was a tunnel and ravine that led to the Hidden Way. In the middle of the valley, there was Amon Gwareth, a steep hill.

On that hill, Turgon decided to build a great city. The surrounding mountains served as proper protection, and this kept the city hidden from the dark lord Morgoth. It took almost 75 years for the city of Gondolin to be complete. Turgon and his people had to build it in secret. Once completed in FA 116, Turgon moved all his people from Nevrast to Gondolin. The residents of Gondolin took up a third of the Ñoldor and about three-quarters of the Sindar.

The streets of Gondolin was paved with stone and marble. The towers in the city were built out of white marble and were tall and slender. Fountains where everywhere and gardens that had bright flowers surrounded the houses. The king's palace had the biggest fountain. The Hidden Way was protected by seven gates, each gate guarded by soldiers. The first gate was made out of wood, the second gate was made out of stone, the third gate was made out of bronze.

The fourth gate was made out of iron, the fifth gate was made out of gold, and finally, the final barrier was made out of steel. Gondolin stood for almost four centuries until its location was given out by Maeglin, Turgon's nephew. It was not long till Morgoth sent his forces to sack the elven city.​

Gondolin was originally named Ondolindë which means "rock of the music of water" in Quenya. The name was to credit the springs that can be found in Amon Gwareth. Later, the name was changed to Gondolin which means hidden rock in Sindarin. Gondolin is known to be the city of seven names. Aside from Gondolin, the other names were Gar Thurion meaning secret palace, Gondobar meaning stone house, Gwarestrin meaning tower of the guard, Gondothlimbar meaning house of the stone folk, Loth meaning flower, and Lothengriol meaning lily of the valley. These are all Gnomish names. [2]​