Minas Tirith
"... its pinnacle glittered as if it were wrought of crystals; and white banners broke and fluttered from the battlemenrs in the morning breeze..."
Minas Tirith
Despite the hard times that Gondor has had to face Minas Tirith is still an impressive city. It is built of the very rock of the mountain in which it stands, carved ages ago from the rock of the White Mountains and Mount Mindolluin. The city itself consists of seven levels which steadily climb up the side of the mountain. Each level has large gates and battlements providing excellent protection and so ensuring that the city can be defended under attack. There is only one entrance into the city, via the Great Gate on the lowest level, which is always very well guarded. The sheer mountain cliffs of Mindolluin provide all the protection that is needed behind.
At the very top, on the seventh level is the Citadel. Here dwells Steward Denethor and in ages past this is where the King of Gondor would have dwelt, living high above all life in Gondor and able to cast his ruling gaze down upon the inhabitants.
Now there is no King, not yet at least, and Steward Denethor has long been edging into madness. Now Pippin and Gandalf must go forth to commune with him.