Minas Tirith

The Tower of Guard

About Minas Tirith

Minas Tirith, whose name means Tower of Guard in the tongue of the High Elves, was built in the year 3320 of the Second Age of Man. The city, whose original name was Minas Anor (Tower of the Sun), was the fortress of Anarion, son of Elendil. The city's name was changed in year 2002 of the Third Age, when its sister, Minas Ithil was beseiged and fell to the Nazgul. With Minas Ithil (which was re-named Minas Morgul, the Tower of Black-Magic) captured by the enemy, and Osgiliath, the original capitol of Gondor, in ruins, Minas Tirith became the chief city of Gondor and the focal point of the struggle against Sauron.

The city was built on the Hill of Guard, which is on the easternmost spur of Mount Mindolluin, near the great river Anduin. Its design consisted of seven more-or-less circular levels, each one higher than the one before it. The main gate of the city faced east, but the gates to each succeeding level were north or south, so the traveler had to turn south, then north to move through the levels. The uppermost level of the city was known as the Citadel, and housed the White Tower, the Court of the Fountain, and the Tower Hall, which was the seat of the Kings of Gondor, the Stewards which followed them, and was the seat of King Elessar as he ruled the Reunited Kingdom.

"The White Tree," by Alan Lee. Lee sees the city in more of a traditional European Medieval way than Naismith (see the picture on the home page).

"Within Minas Tirith," also by Lee.