Ithilien

Ithilien is a region in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, a frontier province of Gondor. Its name derives from Sindarin, commonly interpreted as the “Moon-land,” a reference to the characteristic moonlit landscapes described in the lore. Ithilien is portrayed as green, fertile country with woodlands, orchards, and fields, interspersed with watchtowers and settlements that served Gondor’s defenses along the Anduin and toward Mordor.

Geography and notable sites: Ithilien lies in the central-southern portion of Gondor, along the Anduin valley. Its principal sites included Osgiliath, the city on the river’s western bank, and Minas Ithil, the Tower of the Moon on the eastern bank near the borderlands with Mordor. Minas Ithil was captured by Sauron’s forces in the early Third Age and renamed Minas Morgul. The Morgul Vale and Cirith Gorgor lie nearby, marking the region’s proximity to Mordor. Henneth Annûn, a sheltered refuge used by Gondorian rangers, is located within Ithilien.

History and role: Ithilien functioned as a frontline district guarding Gondor from Mordor’s incursions. After the fall of Minas Ithil, the territory came under Morgul-lands influence for a time. In the later Third Age, Gondorian forces, notably Faramir and his rangers, campaigned in Ithilien to harry Orcs, protect passes, and keep watch over the approaches to Minas Morgul. During the War of the Ring, Ithilien’s rangers aided the Fellowship and helped reclaim portions of the land in the struggle against Sauron.

Legacy: Following the defeat of Sauron, Ithilien was reintegrated into Gondor and gradually repopulated. The region remains noted in lore for its Moon-lit landscapes and its frontier character in the history of Gondor.