Gondolin

Gondolin, "the Hidden City", was the greatest and most secret of the Noldor Elf-kingdoms of Beleriand in the First Age, built by King Turgon and concealed within an encircling ring of mountains. Its fall was one of the most renowned and tragic events of the Elder Days.

Founding

Turgon, a lord of the Noldor, was led by the Vala Ulmo to a hidden valley called Tumladen, ringed about by the Encircling Mountains (the Echoriath), with only one secret way of entry. There, in secret over many years, he raised the white city of Gondolin upon a hill in the midst of the plain, modelling it on the fair Elven-city of Tirion in Valinor. When it was finished he led his people thither, and the way in was hidden and guarded so that no enemy could find it.

The Hidden Kingdom

For ages Gondolin remained unknown to Morgoth, a refuge of beauty and strength while the rest of Beleriand suffered in the wars. Its existence was one of the best-kept secrets of the age. The mortal Man Tuor was guided to it by Ulmo and wedded Turgon's daughter Idril; their son was Eärendil, who would later bear a Silmaril into the West.

The Fall

Gondolin was at last betrayed. Maeglin, a kinsman of Turgon, was captured by Morgoth and, to save himself and out of jealousy, revealed the secret way into the valley. Morgoth sent a great host of Orcs, Balrogs, and dragons against the city, taking it by surprise. In the terrible sack of Gondolin, Turgon was slain and the city destroyed; Ecthelion of the Fountain perished slaying the Balrog-lord Gothmog. Tuor, Idril, and the child Eärendil escaped with a band of survivors through a secret pass, while the hero Glorfindel fell defending them in single combat with a Balrog. The fall of Gondolin marked the breaking of the last great realm of the Noldor in Beleriand.