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Fun Fact: The Minas Tirith model is a direct result of Patrick’s love for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Minas Tirith

The newly-completed Minas Tirith in 2010.

The Great White City. . . City of Kings. . . Capital of Gondor. . .

Minas Tirith is a fortress city that plays an intricate role in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Acton’s model took three years to build, from April 2007 to February 2010, and consumed 420,000 matchsticks.  Additionally, 24,000 small wooden blocks were used to construct the mountain that supports the city. It is currently displayed at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum in Hollywood, CA.

The Minas Tirith model contains hundreds of city buildings and is topped with the Citadel, the Tree of Gondor, and the White Tower of Ecthelion. Minas Tirith also includes gates, ramps, tunnels, and passageways as they ascend the seven levels comprising the city fortress.

Patrick, with the beginnings of Minas Tirith
The city’s second level walls with their towers
Levels 1 and 2
A mountain pass bridge and simulated rock walls
Working on Minas Tirith
Beginning Level 3
Completing a mountain pass bridge
Building the mountain with 1″x2″x 1/4″ blocks
Working on Level 3
As the mountain rises, so go the city walls and its mountain bridges.
Climbing to work on Level 6
The Citadel and Tree of Gondor atop uppermost Level 7
High on top of Minas Tirith sits the Citadel, where the rulers of Gondor held court.
Building the White Tower of Ecthelion
The Citadel and White Tower of Ecthelion
Minas Tirith’s main gate
“The Great White City!”

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Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center was built with the efforts and generosity of the people of Gladbrook, and is operated through the tireless efforts of the volunteers that staff the exhibit.

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