Minas Tirith

History

Originally named Minas Anor (meaning ‘Tower of the Sun’), Minas Tirith was built between 3320 and 3429 of the Second Age, mainly to guard the Tombs of the Kings at Rath Dínen. It was likely built at the same time as its eastern counterpart, Minas Ithil, shortly after the founding of the Realms in Exile, and was also home to Anárion, first King of Gondor. In T.A. 2, Isildur planted the White Tree in Minas Anor, to commemorate Anárion, who had died during the Siege of Barad-dûr in the War of the Last Alliance. In T.A. 420, Minas Anor was rebuilt as a summer removal from Osgiliath by King Ostoher, and it remained as such until the Kin-strife. Though Castamir’s army did not breach the walls of Minas Anor, the surrounding lands were scarred and damaged. After the return of King Eldacar, Minas Anor’s position continued to grow in prominence. During the Great Plague in T.A. 1636, many noble families relocated from Osgiliath to Minas Anor, and the entirety of Gondor was ravaged by plague; the White Tree also died at this time. King Telemnar and other royals were killed, and the King’s House was moved to Minas Anor by King Tarondor four years later, whence another White Tree was planted. The slow decline of Gondor continued afterwards, for a time, until Minas Ithil was captured by the Nazgûl in T.A. 2002, and henceforth known as Minas Morgul. Thereafter, Minas Anor was known as Minas Tirith. Soon after, King Eärnur rode out to answer a challenge from the Witch-king at Minas Morgul; he never returned, and the Stewards ruled in place of the King from Minas Tirith for many years hence. In the following centuries, the power of Gondor weakened further still, with the forces of Mordor occasionally occupying the ruins of Osgiliath, by this time fully abandoned. The city’s defences were bolstered, and the White Tower of Ecthelion was built to house the city’s palantír. In T.A. 2872, the White Tree died once more, and was left in its deceased state in the citadel of Minas Tirith. In the late Third Age, Minas Tirith stands as a bulwark against the threat of Mordor, defending the rest of Gondor, and indeed the west, against the might of Sauron.

Geography

Minas Tirith is situated on a promontory of rock on the eastern aspect of Mount Mindolluin. At its feet are the fields and townlands of the Pelennor Fields, which feed the city and much of the surrounding area. At one time, Minas Tirith was within the fief of Anórien, but became its own region by the late Third Age. The City itself is comprised of seven layers, topped with a citadel. Whilst the majority of the city and its walls are white, the outermost wall at the bottom is made of a strong, black stone, and is called the Othram. The road that leads from the main gate to the citadel takes the long way up, passing through several gates so as to ensure total security. The city is broadly divided into regions, with professions having their own streets or quarters, such as the lampwrights on the first level. Richer individuals tend to live further up the city, facing southwards towards the sun. However, in the late Third Age, much of the city is abandoned, and empty buildings are common. Houses of Healing and stables are found on the sixth level, whilst on the seventh, the Steward of Gondor lives in the Citadel. Here is the King’s House, Tower of Ecthelion, Court of the Fountain and the White Tree, as well as a guesthouse for honoured guests. Behind Minas Tirith, on the ‘shoulder’ connecting the city with Mindolluin, lie the Kings and Stewards of Gondor, reached along Rath Dínen. Minas Tirith lies at the crossing of several roads: one leading to Osgiliath, and then to Minas Morgul, and the road leading to Anórien in the north and Lebennin and the rest of Gondor in the south.