Minas Tirith is the fictional city defended by Gondor in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
The city stands beneath Mount Mindolluin in the White Mountains and serves as Gondor’s principal capital during the War of the Ring. Its name means “Tower of Guard” in Sindarin. Tolkien describes it as a city built in seven levels, each protected by a wall, with the Citadel and White Tower at the summit.
The Battle of the Pelennor Fields takes place outside Minas Tirith in The Return of the King. The city is threatened by Sauron’s forces, while Aragorn, Gandalf, and the defenders of Gondor work to preserve it. The confrontation is one of the largest and most important battles in the narrative.
Minas Tirith was formerly called Minas Anor, “Tower of the Setting Sun.” Minas Morgul, its enemy counterpart, was formerly Minas Ithil, so the similar names can cause confusion.