Also known as: Khazad-Dum, The Dwarrowdelf, The Black Pit, The Mines Of Moria
The greatest of all Dwarf-realms, Khazad-dûm, the Mansion of the Dwarves, delved by Durin the Deathless beneath the Misty Mountains in the deeps of time. For ages it was the wonder of the world — pillared halls beyond counting, and the only source of mithril ever found. But the Dwarves delved too greedily and too deep, and in the year 1980 of the Third Age they woke the Balrog; the realm was abandoned and gained the name Moria, the Black Pit. Balin's attempt to recolonize it ended in ruin, as the Fellowship discovered when they crossed it in darkness and Gandalf fell at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. After the Balrog's destruction, Durin's folk returned at last.