The Burren in Co Clare, which inspired JRR Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," has been named an "iconic literary landmark" by literary experts.
One of the best parts of reading a great book is the new world it transports you to. Sometimes, that world is a fantasy, but sometimes your favorite author transports you to cities that actually exist, enabling you to experience the setting of your favorite stories in the real world.
With that in mind, literary analysis site Summary Guru has shared its top five literary landmarks around the world that every reader and book lover will want to experience,
The Burren in Co Clare was chosen for inspiring fantasy writer JRR Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings."
The Burren in Co Clare. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Summary Guru writes: "The Burren, a swirling, gray, rocky landscape that formed under the sea 50 million years ago, is a mystical terrain of vast limestone rock formations, caves, and fossils.
"It has an other-worldly, almost lunar feel, giving off what visitors have described as a magical energy. Naturally, a place like this has inspired numerous writers, including fantasy legend JRR Tolkien.
"While exploring the unusual yet intriguing landscape that inspired JRR Tolkein’s Mordor from 'The Lord of the Rings', you may also want to pay a visit to a particular cave called Pollnagollum, which means ‘Hole of Gollum.’ Sound familiar?
"It is almost certain that this very cave inspired the infamous creature Gollum, who plays a major role in the Lord of the Rings series. Haunting calls and chirps coming from within the cave create raspy echoes eerily reminiscent of the melancholic voice of the creepy creature."
The Burren in Co Clare. (Ireland's Content Pool)
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Other locations recommended by the literary experts include The Windmills in Consuegra, Spain, which inspired Cervantes’ most well-known scene in "Don Quixote;" Hyde Park in London, a setting in such masterpieces as "Peter Pan," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and the Harry Potter series; Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, which featured in "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Les Misérables;" and The Plaza Hotel in New York City, which featured prominently in "The Great Gatsby."
"A good book is the ultimate escapism. You find yourself totally immersed in a different world–making what feels like a personal connection to these characters," says Summary Guru.
"Now imagine if this imaginary world could be somehow brought to life…Wouldn’t you do it?’
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