Gates of Argonath

As the Great River Anduin flowed southwards into the region of the Emyn Muil, the land rose up on both sides of the river, leaving a narrow passage between two lines of cliffs. Eventually, this river-passage opened out into the wide lake of Nen Hithoel. In ancient days, this was considered to mark the entrance into the kingdom of Gondor, and the Kings of that realm raised two great monuments to mark the north-gate of their Kingdom. Two huge statues were carved on either side of the river, together known as the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings. These represented Isildur and Anárion, the sons of Elendil, who had been Gondor's earliest rulers.