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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →No. Minas Morgul and the Tower of Cirith Ungol are separate places on different approaches to Mordor. Minas Morgul is the city and tower once called Minas Ithil; the Tower of Cirith Ungol is a separate fortress guarding the high pass of Cirith Ungol.
How the two places differ
| Feature | Minas Morgul | Tower of Cirith Ungol |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A city and tower, formerly Minas Ithil. | A separate Gondorian border fortress. |
| Location | In Imlad Morgul, on the western slopes of Ephel Dúath. | Beside the high pass of Cirith Ungol in Ephel Dúath. |
| Route defended | The valley route and the entrance to Cirith Ungol. | The high pass of Cirith Ungol. |
| Key historical change | The Nazgûl captured the city and renamed it Minas Morgul in Third Age 2002. | Built as part of Gondor’s defenses after the War of the Last Alliance, it was later captured for Sauron’s use. |
Their proximity and related defensive roles help explain the mix-up: both are on the western approaches to Mordor, but they guard different routes. That is a geographical connection, not another name for the same structure. See the Encyclopedia of Arda’s Minas Morgul entry and its Tower-gate entry.
Why Minas Morgul was once called Minas Ithil
Minas Ithil was built by the sons of Elendil. After the Nazgûl captured it in Third Age 2002, it was renamed Minas Morgul. The name change belongs to this city and tower; it does not describe the Tower of Cirith Ungol. The Encyclopedia of Arda’s Minas Ithil entry also records the earlier name and capture.
What happened to the Tower of Cirith Ungol?
The Tower of Cirith Ungol began as a Gondorian fortress guarding the high pass. It was later taken for Sauron’s use. The Encyclopedia of Arda records that its tower-gate was broken on 15 March, Third Age 3019. The date refers to the fictional chronology of Middle-earth, not a real-world event.
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Where the tower appears in the book
“The Tower of Cirith Ungol” is a chapter of The Return of the King, as identified by Tolkien Gateway. The chapter title refers to the fortress, not Minas Morgul.
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