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Dates
Built in the early First Age, captured by Sauron in I 4571
Location
On the island of Tol Sirion, in the Pass of Sirion
Origins
Built by Finrod Felagund
Race
Elves
Division
Noldor
Pronunciation
mi'nas ti'rith (all the 'i' sounds here are short, so Minas is pronounced like 'minnas')
Meaning
'Tower of Guard'
Note
Finrod's tower is not the same 'Minas Tirith' as the seat of the Stewards of Gondor. This is a much older tower, destroyed millennia before the Gondorians began construction on their White Tower. For that later version, see this entry.

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About this entry:

  • Updated 19 August 2006
  • Updates planned: 38

Minas Tirith

The tower that guarded the Pass of Sirion

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

The tower that guarded the Pass of Sirion, after which Minas Tirith in Gondor was perhaps named. Built by Finrod Felagund to keep watch on the western pass of Beleriand, it was mainly in the keeping of his brother Orodreth until captured by Sauron in the late First Age.


Notes

1

Sauron didn't destroy the tower after its capture - instead, he ruled it himself as Tol-in-Gaurhoth for a period of about ten years. The tower was finally destroyed by Lúthien during the Quest of the Silmaril.

See also...

Battle of the Bragollach, Crossings of Teiglin, Dagor Bragollach, Finrod Felagund, Halmir, Lord of Brethil, Morgoth, Pass of Sirion, Sauron, Sauron’s Isle, South Road, Tol Sirion, Tol-in-Gaurhoth

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1999, 2001, 2006. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.