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Revision as of 18:22, 13 June 2012 by KingAragorn Bot (Talk | contribs)
Physical Description
LocationEriador, shores of Lake Nenuial
Reunited Kingdom
InhabitantsNorthern Dúnedain
General Information
EtymologyS annún = "west", minas = "tower"

Annúminas was the city of the Kings of Arnor, on the shores of Nenuial.



The city was founded by Elendil himself, on the shores of the northern lake Nenuial, near the sources of the Baranduin possibly shortly after the foundation of Arnor. It was the chief city of the Kings of Arnor for several centuries, and home to one of the three palantíri of the North-Kingdom and the Sceptre of Annúminas, the heirloom of and symbol of kingship in Arnor.

History suggests that the city survived for nearly a thousand years . In the early days of Arnor, it must have been one of the glories of Middle-earth. Soon after its founding, though, the numbers of the Dúnedain of the North began to dwindle. The population of Annúminas seems to have fallen throughout its history, until eventually it was deserted, and the Kings moved to Fornost to the east. This must have happened around Third Age 861 with the split of Arnor.


After the city's desertion, it fell into decay, but two relics of its greatness survived: its palantír and the Sceptre.

The palantír remained for more than a millennium after the loss of its city, but was ultimately drowned with Arvedui in the cold northern seas. The silver Sceptre of Annúminas (which was originally the rod of office of the Númenórean Lords of Andúnië) would have been removed to Fornost by the Kings, and eventually came to be kept by Elrond in Rivendell.

At the time of the coronation of Elessar at the end of the Third Age, Annúminas had lain in ruins for more than two thousand years. Yet Aragorn soon set his mind to preparing a place to stay in the ancient city. Aragorn sometimes came North to his house in Annúminas restored and stayed for a while beside Lake Evendim, then everyone in the Shire was glad[1]. It is not explicitly stated whether Aragorn had begun a complete restoration of the city, or if he had proclaimed Annúminas the capitol of his Northern Kingdom.


It seems likely that the city was dependent on the River Baranduin for contact with the outside world, while the Hills of Evendim surrounded the city to the west and south the city's people could reach the other cities of the Dúnedain that lay along the river by boat.

Appearances in adaptations

A view of Annuminas (The Lord of the Rings Online)

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The city of Annuminas is available for exploration and adventuring in its entirety. It is partially submerged in the waters of the lake and is overrun by servants of Angmar, who invaded the city looking for instructions to operate its Palantir. A group of the Dunedain of the North, calling themselves Wardens of Annuminas, strives to preserve the ancient city of their ancestors and its rich history, taking fight against Angmarim forces, Tomb-Robbers seeking to plunder ancient relics and even the forces of nature itself when necessary. The city is situated on the hill slope and as such is presented as a multi-leveled place akin to Minas Tirith: travelers are constantly going either uphill or downhill to reach their destination. Inside the city are several market places, living quarters, pools, gardens and other artifacts of everyday life. At the highest point is the King's Seat of power - the chamber of Ost Elendil. To the east of the city lies the Way of Kings - a row of tombs where Kings of Arnor reside, including a ceremonial Tomb of Elendil, where some of his belonging are buried in memory of the city's founder.

