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Tourist Attractions in Wellington, Wellington New Zealand
Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith are two of the most iconic locations in Middle-earth, the fictional world of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Both locations were filmed in New Zealand, and the sets that were built for the films are still standing today, making them popular tourist destinations for fans of the franchise.
Helm's Deep is a fortress in the White Mountains of Rohan. It is the home of the Rohirrim, a race of horse-riders who are led by King Theoden. In The Two Towers, Helm's Deep is attacked by a massive army of Uruk-hai, but the Rohirrim are able to defend their home with the help of Gandalf the wizard and the elves of Lothlorien.
The set for Helm's Deep was built in Dry Creek Quarry, a quarry located near Wellington, New Zealand. The set was massive, and it took over a year to build. The quarry is still open to the public, and visitors can take a guided tour of the set.
Minas Tirith is the capital city of Gondor, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Middle-earth. It is located on the White Mountains, and it is known for its massive fortifications. In The Return of the King, Minas Tirith is attacked by the forces of Sauron, but it is eventually saved by the combined armies of Gondor, Rohan, and the elves.
The set for Minas Tirith was also built in Dry Creek Quarry. The set was even larger than the Helm's Deep set, and it took over two years to build. The quarry is still open to the public, and visitors can take a guided tour of the set.