Bridge of Khazad-dûm

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The name Bridge of Khazad-dûm refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see The Bridge of Khazad-dûm (disambiguation).
Bridge of Khazad-dûm
Bridge
Alan Lee - The Bridge of Khazad-dum.jpg
"The Bridge of Khazad-dûm" by Alan Lee
General Information
Other namesDurin's Bridge
LocationEastern Moria, before the Great Gates
TypeBridge
DescriptionNarrow bridge of stone over abyss
History
Destroyed15 January, T.A. 3019 (partially)
EventsStand-off between Gandalf and Durin's Bane
GalleryImages of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm

The Bridge of Khazad-dûm,[1] also known as Durin's Bridge,[2] was a narrow stone bridge crossing a chasm in the underground Dwarf-city of Khazad-dûm close to its eastern gates.[3]

Appearance[edit | edit source]

The bridge consisted of a fifty-foot-long curving spring of stone. It did not have a kerb or rail and was so narrow that it could only be crossed in single file. The depth of the chasm was incredible and the ceiling was high. On the eastern side of the bridge was a flight of stairs leading to the First Hall and the eastern gates. The narrowness of the bridge was meant to help defend the interior of Khazad-dûm against an enemy that had already breached the outermost defenses on the eastern side of Khazad-dûm.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

On 15 January T.A. 3019,[1] Gandalf and the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring fled over the bridge from the Balrog, a large number of Orcs and two Trolls. Gandalf remained behind in the middle of the bridge to hold it against the Balrog. After a fight with the Balrog, Gandalf resorted to destroying the part of the bridge on which the Balrog stood with his staff. The Balrog fell into the chasm, but caught Gandalf with his whip and pulled him down with him.[3]

It is possible that the Dwarves reclaimed Moria in the Fourth Age and rebuilt the bridge.[4][5]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, January 15, p. 1092
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The White Rider", p. 501
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm", pp. 329-31
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "IX. The Making of Appendix A": (iv) "Durin's Folk", second version of the manuscript, p. 277
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part One: The End of the Third Age: XI. The Epilogue: The second version", Q. Dwarves and A. Gimli, p. 122