Minas Tirith (S. "Tower [of] Guard") was the tower on the island of Tol Sirion that guarded the Pass of Sirion. Minas Tirith was built around 1.A. 60 by Finrod Felagund to prevent the forces of Morgoth from invading Beleriand from the plains of Ard-galen. After Finrod built Nargothrond he handed over control of the watchtower to his kinsman, Orodreth.
Minas Tirith was captured by Sauron shortly after the initial onslaught of the Dagor Bragollach, driving Orodreth out to flee to Nargothrond. Sauron then made it into a watch-tower for Morgoth from which he espied all that passed through the vale. As Tol Sirion became accursed, it was then called Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the "Isle of Werewolves". Although the Noldor regained control of the Pass of Sirion until the Nirnaeth Arnoediad (S. "Battle of Unnumbered Tears"), they did not attempt to rebuild the tower.
Minas Tirith (Beleriand)
Etymology[]
Minas Tirith means "Tower of the Guard" in Sindarin (from minas = "tower, citadel" and tirith = "watch, guard").
Other versions of the legendarium[]
According to the early version of the legendarium within The Book of Lost Tales, the predecessor of the tower of Minas Tirith was known as the halls of Tevildo, a castle on a hilltop that was not terribly distant from Angamandi. These halls were said to harbour a few mice, fierce and large as rats, that Tevildo had allowed to dwell in dark holes for his own personal amusement. During the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren was captured by Melko and was sent to work as a thrall within Tevildo's kitchens, where he was made a scullion under the watch of Miaulë, Tevildo's cook. The castle entrance was guarded by the old Doorcat, Umuiyan, Tevildo's doorkeeper. Once Tevildo was defeated by Huan, Tinúviel used his magical collar and spells to shake the castle, liberating the prisoners and turning Tevildo's servants into normal cats.