J.R.R. Tolkien , author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings , laid the foundation for modern fantasy with his works. His richly detailed world, populated by elves , dwarves, and hobbits , was inspired in no small part by real places—including a very special valley in Switzerland.

In the summer of 1911, as a young man of just nineteen, Tolkien traveled with a group through the Swiss Alps. He was particularly impressed by the Lauterbrunnen Valley . The sheer cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks left an indelible impression on his mind—and later served as the inspiration for the peaceful Elven retreat you know today as Rivendell .

With our three-dimensional mountain panorama, you can bring a richly detailed piece of this alpine magic right into your living room. At its center sits an elven stronghold , inspired by the region that became Tolkien 's "true Rivendell ."

Now available as a standard model – or customized for your needs. Share your ideas with us, and we'll create your personal Rivendell .

Tolkien wrote to his son Michael decades later:

“I am delighted that you got to know Switzerland – and precisely the region that I knew best and that impressed me the most.”

And if you know The Fellowship of the Ring , you may remember these lines:

“The mountains were an endless series of steep cliffs, their white peaks glowing in the light of the setting sun...”

But what remains most impressive is Bilbo's quiet wish as his journey draws to a close – a sentence that perhaps also reflects Tolkien himself:

“I want to see the mountains again, Gandalf – mountains, just once!”

Experience this scene anew – as a three-dimensional work of art.

A tribute to the Alps, to the imagination – and to one of the most important storytellers of the 20th century.