There are many Fortresses, Castles and Strongholds in Arda, such as Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, Minas Morgul, and Barad-dûr. They are strong buildings that were often built for defensive purposes. They were usually made of stone and archers could shoot safely from behind the walls.

Overview Edit

Fortresses and keeps are military constructions which have buildings built for warfare and defense and are generally fortified. The defensive positions act as command headquarters and sometimes capitals of realms. Some fortresses are just simple walled-in villages, such as the town Bree. Positions fortified like Bree with only a stockade would not hold back a major assault. Many other fortresses were heavily defended with strong, well-constructed stone keeps, such as the Hornburg in Helm's Deep. The most powerful fortress of men in Middle-earth was Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard. It was built on a hill below Mount Mindolluin. It had 7 levels, each surrounded by a ring of walls 100 feet high. At the top of the 7th level there was a tower 300 feet high, 1,000 feet above the plain, giving a commanding view of the Pelenor. Other than the extremely strong Gate of Minas Tirith on the first level, each gate to the next level was staggered, so that an enemy would have to conquer the whole level before advancing. This also gave the defenders time to retreat and regroup on the next level. Minas Tirith was also defended by a battery of 100 trebuchets (large, counterweighted catapults) on its walls, which could launch boulders onto the plain below.

List of Fortresses of Arda Edit

Fortresses/Strongholds of Men Edit

• Minas Anor (later called Minas Tirith)
• Osgiliath
• Minas Ithil (later Minas Morgul after being captured by Sauron)
• Isengard (with the tower of Orthanc within) (later used by Saruman for evil purposes)
• Durthang (later captured by Sauron)
• Tharbad
• Fornost
• Amon Sûl (ruined in the Third Age)
• Helm's Deep (with the Glittering Caves (Hornburg) within)
• Edoras
• Dunharrow
• Aldburg
• Umbar (later taken by the Corsairs)
• Bree
• Bar Erib

Fortresses/Strongholds of Elves Edit

• Caras Galadhon (the interior of Lothlórien )
• Rivendell (Imladris)
• The Grey Havens
• Barad Eithel
• Himring (after end of the First Age, mostly underwater)
• Minas Tirith (in Beleriand) (ruined with rest of Beleriand)
• Gondolin (ruined with rest of Beleriand)
• Menegroth (ruined with rest of Beleriand)

Fortresses/Strongholds of Dwarves Edit

• Khazad-dûm (Moria) sometimes called the The Mines of Moria
• The Lonely Mountain (Erebor)
• The Iron Hills
• Belegost (in the Blue Mountains (Ered Luin)
• Nogrod (in the Blue Mountains (Ered Luin)
• Grey Mountains (Ered Mithrin), later driven out by dragons)

Fortresses/Strongholds of Evil Edit

• Barad-dûr (capitol of Mordor and throne of Sauron)
• Dol Guldur (temporary seat of Sauron's power)

• Minas Morgul (formerly Minas Ithil after being captured by Sauron)
• Morannon (the Black Gate of Mordor)
• Isenmouthe
• Cirith Ungol
• Carn Dûm (capitol of the realm of Angmar)
• Mount Gundabad
• Isengard (after Saruman became allied with Sauron)
• Angband (Melkor's secondary fortress until his main fortress Utumno was destroyed. Became his main fortress after his return to Middle-earth until his defeat in War of Wrath)
• Utumno (Main fortress of Melkor until its destruction)