Osgiliath

Osgiliath is an ancient city of Gondor, situated on the western bank of the Anduin River in the region of Ithilien. It was one of the oldest and most important settlements in Númenórean Gondor and, for much of the early and middle Third Age, served as the political and administrative capital before the capital moved east to Minas Tirith.

Geography and layout: The city extended along both sides of the Anduin and was linked by a major river crossing. Its walls enclosed fortifications, granaries, markets, and civic buildings. The Citadel stood on the western side, while the eastern areas housed government offices and a harbor along the river. The river crossing and the bridge connecting the two halves made Osgiliath a strategic hub for commerce and military movement.

History: Osgiliath was founded by Númenórean colonists after the founding of Gondor and long remained a central seat of power. As Minas Tirith grew in prominence, Osgiliath continued to function as a key fortress and administrative center on Gondor’s western frontier. The city endured repeated sieges during the wars with Sauron, and by the end of the Third Age much of it lay in ruins. The capital effectively shifted to Minas Tirith, and Osgiliath was gradually divided and largely abandoned, though it retained strategic value and some inhabited areas.

In literature: In Tolkien’s legendarium, Osgiliath is described as a once-great city whose decline mirrored the fortunes of Gondor. By the time of the War of the Ring, its ruins served as a reminder of Gondor’s former power and as a front-line landscape on the western frontier.