Dol Guldur

Sauron's hidden stronghold in southern Mirkwood

Other names

Hill of Sorcery Hill of Dark Sorcery Amon Lanc Naked Hill the Necromancer's stronghold

ca. 1 min

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In briefanswer capsule

Dol Guldur was a fortress on a wooded hill in southern Mirkwood, raised on the site once known as Amon Lanc. For long ages it served as the hidden seat of a power called the Necromancer, whose true identity as Sauron was uncovered only after careful investigation by Gandalf and the White Council. Assaulted more than once by the White Council and the Elves of Lothlórien, it was at last thrown down near the end of the Third Age.

Time anchoruntil Third Age 3019Open in the master timeline

Relations

Participant: Celeborn

In the Annals

Where the Tale of Years names this entry: 10 entries.

TA c. 1100The Wise learn that an evil power holds Dol Guldur; they take its master for a Ringwraith.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2060Dol Guldur grows in strength, and the Wise begin to fear that Sauron is taking shape there.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2063Gandalf enters Dol Guldur; its master withdraws eastward and hides. The Watchful Peace begins and the Nine keep still.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2460The Watchful Peace ends when Sauron comes back to Dol Guldur, stronger than before.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2845Thráin is shut up in Dol Guldur, and the seventh and final Dwarf-ring is taken from him.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2850Gandalf enters Dol Guldur a second time and learns for certain that its master is Sauron, who is collecting the Rings and hunting for news of the One.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2851The White Council debates an attack on Dol Guldur; Saruman argues it down and begins his own search near the Gladden Fields.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2941Thorin and Gandalf call on Bilbo; on the journey Bilbo meets Gollum and comes away with the Ring. The White Council acts at last against Dol Guldur, and Smaug dies at Esgaroth.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 2951Sauron declares himself openly, begins to raise Barad-dûr again and sends three of the Nine to hold Dol Guldur. Gollum turns his steps toward Mordor.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
TA 3019 · 03-28Celeborn crosses the Anduin, and the pulling down of Dol Guldur begins.Appendix B, The Tale of Years

Sources

The Lord of the Rings — Appendix B, The Tale of Years
The Silmarillion — Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
Unfinished Tales — The Hunt for the Ring

Cite this page

Legendarium (2026): „Dol Guldur“. Last updated August 18, 2026. https://www.legendarium.page/places/dol-guldur/

APA

Legendarium. (2026). Dol Guldur. Last updated August 18, 2026. https://www.legendarium.page/places/dol-guldur/

MLA

„Dol Guldur“. Legendarium, 2026, https://www.legendarium.page/places/dol-guldur/. Last updated August 18, 2026.

BibTeX

@misc{legendarium-dol-guldur-en,
  title        = {Dol Guldur},
  author       = {{Legendarium}},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.legendarium.page/places/dol-guldur/}},
  note         = {Last updated August 18, 2026}
}