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Dates
First called 'Minas Tirith' in c.III 2002
Still standing well into the Fourth Age (the last recorded reference is in IV 172)
Location
Beneath Mount Mindolluin in Anórien, on the western banks of the Anduin in Gondor
Builders
Elendil and his sons
Race
Division
Culture
Pronunciation
mi'nas ti'rith (all the 'i' sounds here are short, so Minas is pronounced like 'minnas')
Meaning
Other Names
Note
'Minas Tirith' was the name given to this city after the capture of Minas Ithil by the Nazgûl in 2002 (Third Age). The city itself, though, was much older - as Minas Anor, it had stood since the late Second Age, and was some 2,100 years old when it was renamed. For its origins and earlier history, refer to the entry for Minas Anor.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 6 June 2008
  • Updates planned: 1

Minas Tirith

Gondor's Tower of Guard

Encyclopedia of Arda Timeline
Years of the TreesFirst AgeSecond AgeThird AgeFourth Age and Beyond
Map of Minas Tirith

The seven-tiered citadel of the Kings of Gondor, originally named Minas Anor. After the destruction of Osgiliath, Minas Tirith became the seat of power in the South-kingdom.


Notes

1

The choice of this name was almost certainly influenced by the 'tower of guard' that had stood in Beleriand some 5,000 years earlier - the Minas Tirith built by Finrod to guard the Pass of Sirion.

See also...

Amon Dîn, Anardil, Angbor, Anor, Anórien, Anor-stone, Aragorn Elessar, Arnach, Artamir, Baranor, Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Beacons of Gondor, Belecthor II, Beregond, Bergil, [See the full list...]

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