Minas Tirith

Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard, is the capital city of Gondor and the chief stronghold of the Dúnedain in the south of Middle-earth. Often called the White City for its gleaming stone, it stands against the eastern edge of the White Mountains, overlooking the Pelennor Fields and the river Anduin, facing the dark land of Mordor across the river. In the War of the Ring it is the principal fortress of the West and the site of the great siege and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Minas Tirith was once named Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun, and was renamed the Tower of Guard after its sister city Minas Ithil fell to the enemy and became Minas Morgul. It is the seat of the Ruling Stewards and, after the War of the Ring, of the restored King of Gondor.

Geography

The city is built in seven concentric levels rising up the side of the mountain, each ringed by its own wall and gate, the gates set so that the way climbs back and forth up the hill. A great spur of rock juts forward through the levels like the keel of a ship. At the summit stands the Citadel, the seventh level, with the White Tower of Ecthelion, the King's House, and the court where the White Tree of Gondor stands. The lowest and outermost wall, the Othram, is of black stone and proof against assault; its Great Gate faces east toward the enemy.

Below the city spread the Pelennor Fields, the townlands and farms enclosed by an outer wall, the Rammas Echor, and beyond flows the Anduin.

History

Minas Tirith was built in the early Third Age as Minas Anor by the kings of Gondor. After the fall of Minas Ithil to the Nazgûl and the abandonment of the old capital Osgiliath, Minas Anor became the chief city of the realm and was renamed Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard, ever watchful against Mordor. The line of kings failed and the Stewards ruled from the White Tower, keeping the throne empty against the return of a king.

In the story

In The Lord of the Rings, Minas Tirith is the great stronghold besieged by the armies of Mordor under the Lord of the Nazgûl. Gandalf and Pippin come to the city before the siege; the Steward Denethor despairs and burns himself upon a pyre; Faramir is gravely wounded. The siege is broken by the charge of the Rohirrim and the arrival of Aragorn with the men of the southern fiefs, in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the destruction of the One Ring, Aragorn is crowned King Elessar in Minas Tirith, and the White Tree blooms anew.