Minas Tirith

  1) (in Beleriand)

 / Minas Tirith

   'Tower of Watch', built by Finrod Felagund on Tol Sirion; see Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Also called Minas of King Finrod.

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   The tower that guarded the Pass of 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.

   The name means 'Tower of Guard'.

   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.

  2) (in Gondor)

 / Minas Tirith

   Later name of Minas Anor. Called the City of Gondor.

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   Gondor's Tower of Guard.

   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.

   'Minas Tirith' was the name given to this city after the capture of Minas Ithil by the Nazgûl in III 2002. 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.