Minas Tirith is the star-shaped fortress city built by Gondor in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
The city stands beside Mount Mindolluin and serves as Gondor’s capital during the events of the novel. Its name means ‘Tower of Guard’ in Sindarin. It was originally called Minas Anor, or ‘Tower of the Sun,’ before the fall of Minas Ithil led to the name Minas Tirith.
Minas Tirith is constructed on several ascending levels, each protected by walls and gates. The White Tower rises at the summit, where the Steward of Gondor rules in the absence of a king. This arrangement gives the city both a distinctive physical design and a clear symbolic role as Gondor’s defensive stronghold.
The Battle of the Pelennor Fields takes place outside Minas Tirith. Minas Morgul, formerly Minas Ithil, is its enemy counterpart and should not be confused with Gondor’s capital.