JENINS, Switzerland (dpa) – If you ever wondered what happens when a wealthy man gets keen on collectibles, visit the Greisinger Museum in Switzerland, home to what its founder says is the world’s largest collection of J R R Tolkien memorabilia.
The museum, built inside an elaborate underground burrow, focuses on ‘Middle Earth’, the setting for Tolkien’s fantasies. It is packed with art, books and collectors’ items of every kind.
Bernd Greisinger set up his non-profit Tolkien Foundation after making millions on the stockmarkets.
In 2003, the German was even nominated as stockbroker of the year.
But when a global economic crisis struck in 2008, Greisinger decided it was time for a change of direction.
The front door of the Greisinger Museum, a replica of the Hobbit holes in the Lord of the Rings movies
Bernd Greisinger, 51, who has turned his Lord of the Rings collection into a Swiss museum, with a statue of wizard Gandalf
A bust of J R R Tolkien is seen at the museum. PHOTOS: DPA
He had first become interested in the works of Tolkien in 2001 after seeing the first of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy in the cinema and immediately began collecting everything Tolkien he could get his hands on.
“The collection keeps getting larger and larger,” explains Greisinger. “I wanted anything to do with this great author of world literature – from expensive signed first editions and Tolkien’s First World War compass to modern brand merchandise.”
The collection now stretches to over 3,500 books in numerous languages written by or about Tolkien. There are also over 600 paintings and sketches by 80 different artists as well as countless movie props, costumes, swords, axes and sculptures – including one of the corrupted hobbit Gollum and of Gandalf the good wizard.
”I basically bought everything that was for sale, but I didn’t do it just for my own pleasure,” declares the 51-year-old. “I wanted to give something to those people who are interested in Tolkien but, for the most part, couldn’t afford to buy such exhibits themselves.”
Greisinger purchased a suitable property in the Swiss village of Jenins, surrounded by vines and with a view of the snow-covered Alps.
The construction of the museum alone cost him 2.5 million Swiss francs (2.3 million euros).
Entry to the underground museum is gained by walking through a replica of the Hobbit garden and hole devised by Canadian illustrator John Howe for Jackson’s films.
The museum has yet to turn into a major attraction with just 6,000 visitors dropping in since it opened its doors in October 2013. That might be because Greisinger only allows tours by advance appointment (online) and with guides.
Tours are limited to a maximum of 14 persons per group at a stiff price of 50 francs per head. Greisinger says he is comfortable with the low numbers.
Effigies of Gollum (above), the hobbit who was corrupted by the Ring, and orcs (below) on display at the Greisinger Museum in Jenins
The museum founder often takes the three-hour tour himself, and never tires of pointing out his belief that Tolkien’s inspiration for Middle Earth was really Switzerland, and certainly not New Zealand, where Kiwi-born Jackson shot his films.
Greisinger is not alone in his belief.
Many Tolkien fans agree that the author drew on his memories of a trip to Switzerland as a 19-year-old when he was elaborating a picture of Middle Earth in his novels.
Tolkien (1892-1973) wrote in a letter to his son Michael in 1967 that Bilbo Baggins’ trip from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains was inspired by his Swiss adventure with friends in 1911 when he trekked from Interlaken through the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Grindelwald.
The route offers fantastic views of the triple peaks of the Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau.
“Interlaken, the town between
Thunersee and Brienzersee, is the inspiration for Lake-town in the Hobbit, which is attacked by the dragon Smaug,” says Greisinger.
He also believes that Erebor, home of the Dwarves, bears a startling resemblance to the Matterhorn.
One of Greisinger’s favourite questions to visitors is how many legs Smaug has – two or four?
Both answers are correct.
In the book he has four, but in Jackson’s films just two.
“I’m going to ask Peter Jackson why this is, once he finally pays a visit to the museum,” laughs Greisinger.
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