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The Birth of Middle-earth on Tolkien's Journey through Switzerland
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Open in the appIn the summer of 1911, young J. R. R. Tolkien hiked through the Swiss Alps – a journey whose impressions accompanied him throughout his life and later flowed into his literary world. Sarah Heinzelmann and Lukas Ritzel trace the footsteps of this journey and explore how… In the summer of 1911, young J. R. R. Tolkien hiked through the Swiss Alps – a journey whose impressions accompanied him throughout his life and later flowed into his literary world. Sarah Heinzelmann and Lukas Ritzel trace the footsteps of this journey and explore how experienced landscapes became the mountains, valleys and paths of Middle-earth. The focus is on the interplay between travel memories and creative imagination: How do mighty peaks, deep gorges and encounters along the way transform into settings and stories? And how much of Switzerland can actually be found in Middle-earth? The lecture combines Tolkien's own memories with geographical and literary detective work. In doing so, it distinguishes between proven influences, plausible connections and intriguing similarities. This opens up a new perspective on familiar Swiss landscapes – and on a writer who drew inspiration from the impressions of a youthful hike for an entire world.