Minas Tirith is the fictional city called the City of the Kings in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. It is the capital of Gondor during the events of The Lord of the Rings.
The city stands in seven ascending levels on the eastern side of the White Mountains. Its name means “Tower of Guard” in Sindarin. Earlier in its history it was known as Minas Anor, or “Tower of the Sun,” before the name Minas Tirith became predominant.
Minas Tirith is the setting for the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, one of the major military events of The Return of the King. It is often confused with Minas Morgul, formerly Minas Ithil, which lies across the valley and becomes a stronghold of Sauron.