Minas Tirith

Minas Tirith is the capital of Gondor since 1636 T.A. when the great plague forced the kings out of Osgiliath. Until 2002 T.A. Minas Tirith was known as Minas Anor. In that year Minas Ithil was captured by the Ringwraiths and renamed Minas Morgul

Minas Tirith means "Tower of Guard", for since the fall of Minas Ithil, Minas Tirith guards Gondor against evil from Mordor.

Minas Tirith is surrounded by the Rammas Echor, a large ringwall encircling the Pelennor Fields[?]. This wall was built by Ecthelion II[?] but proved no match for the Orc legions of Mordor. The city itself lies on a hill beneath Mount Mindolluin[?]. The city is divided into seven layers each surrounded by white walls. The gates didn't lay behind each other but all faced a different direction. Finally within the seventh wall there is the citadel with the White Tower.

In Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King Minas Tirith is besieged by troops of Mordor, the Easterlings and the Haradrim[?].

At first there were fights on the Rammas Echor but this wall was soon breached. Then the battle swept over the Pelennor Fields with great losses for Gondor. Faramir, the son of Steward Denethor II and important for Gondorian morale sustained heavy wounds. The soldiers of Gondor were driven into the city itself and Denethor went mad.

Early on the next day the Great Gate was breached. But the tide of siege turned when King Théoden of Rohan rode his forces into the Battle of the Pelennor Fields[?]. The battle was won by Gondor.

On May 1 3019 T.A. King Elessar was crowned here. Minas Tirith is known to stand firm well into the Fourth Age.

The eagle who brings the news of Sauron's defeat to Minas Tirith refers to the city as the Tower of Anor. Although Tolkien does not make it clear, it is possible that the city may have reverted to ts original name once it no longer needed to guard against evil.