| Angrenost |
Isengard |
Rohan |
The former Numenorean fortress taken over by Saruman, guarding the tower of Orthanc |
| Annuminas |
Tower of the West |
Arnor |
Former Numenorean capital of Arnor, beside Lake Nenuial |
| Barad-Dur |
Lugburz |
Mordor |
Sauron's Dark Tower and capital |
| Carchost |
Red Tooth |
Mordor |
One of the two Towers of the Teeth, Morannon gate |
| Carn Dum |
|
Angmar |
The former base of the Lord of the Nazgul in Angmar, at the northern end of the Misty Mountains |
| Elostirion |
|
Eriador |
The tallest tower on the Emyn Beraid; holds one of the Palantiri |
| Fornost Erain |
Norbury of the Kings,
Deadman's Dike |
Arnor |
Ruined Numenorean fortress in the North Downs, north of Bree at the end of the Greenway |
| Henneth Annun |
Window of the Sunset |
Gondor |
Natural rock fort in North Ithilien looking West across the Anduin |
| Hornburg |
|
Rohan |
Defence Tower at Helm's Deep. Erkenbrand's base |
| Isengard |
Angrenost |
Rohan |
Iron-Enclosure - defence around the Tower of Orthanc |
| Minas Anor |
Tower of the Sun |
Gondor |
Minas Anor (Tower of The Sun) = Minas Tirith (Tower of Guard) = Tower of Ecthelion = White Tower |
| Minas Ithil |
Tower of the Moon |
Gondor |
Minas Ithil (Tower of The Moon) = Minas Morgul (Tower of Black Magic) |
| Minas Morgul |
Tower of Black Magic |
Gondor |
See Gondor's Towers below |
| Minas Tirith |
Tower of Guard |
Gondor |
See Gondor's Towers below |
| Narchost |
Fire Tooth |
Mordor |
One of the two Towers of the Teeth, Morannon gate |
| Orthanc |
Fang-Mount |
Rohan |
Tower at Isengard. Saruman's stronghold in the last part of the Third Age |
| Towers of the Teeth |
Teeth of Mordor |
Mordor |
Carchost and Narchost, guarding the Morannon Gate, Cirith Gorgor. Originally built to keep watch on Mordor |
| White Tower |
Tower of Ecthelion |
Gondor |
See Gondor's Towers below
|
The Towers of Gondor |
Although the term Minas translates into Westron as Tower, it is sometimes best considered as meaning Citadel.
Like many castles which survive long enough, Minas Anor grew from a basic stronghold into heavily fortified walled city of 7 levels, large enough to encompass the military barracks and the houses and shops of the local population. The foundations of Minas Anor were laid some 700 years before the end of the Second Age on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Mindolluin. It was rebuilt in TA 420. The White Tower itself was not erected in the Citadel until TA 1900. It was rebuilt by Steward Ecthelion I in TA 2698, hence the name Tower of Ecthelion. The Tower was partly called The White Tower because of its colour, and partly to symbolise its opposition to Barad-Dur, the Dark Tower of Sauron.
Gondor was founded by Isildur and Anarion. Isildur's base in Ithilien was at Minas Ithil. Anarion's was at Minas Anor, on the border between Anorien and Lebennin, with the Capital of Gondor between them at Osgiliath. Minas Ithil was built to keep watch on Mordor, and Minas Anor to protect Gondor from the Wild Men of the Mountains. Minas Anor was known as The Tower of The (Settting) Sun due to its position west of Osgiliath, whereas The Tower of The (Rising) Moon at Minas Ithil was to the east of the Capital.
When Sauron captured Minas Ithil in TA 2002 the Capital of Gondor removed to the city within Minas Anor, whose name was changed to Minas Tirith (The Tower of Guard). 'Minas Tirith' is generally applied to the town and citadel, and is often interchangeable with 'Gondor'. The "Siege of Gondor" is also the Siege of Minas Tirith.
Minas Ithil - the tower guarding Ithilien and the border with Mordor - was renamed Minas Morgul (The Tower of Black Magic) after its capture by Sauron. Minas Morgul became the base of The Nazgul. |
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