The Rammas Echor, a great wall constructed by Denethor II to protect the townlands of the Pelennnor Fields around Minas Tirith. It extended out to some four leagues (about twelve miles) from the city at its furthest extent, where it approached Osgiliath to the northeast. The entire wall was more than ten leagues (about thirty miles) in length, running out from the lower slopes of Mount Mindolluin to loop around the Pelennor before returning to the mountain.
In the Wall were three gates. Through the northern gate - called the Forannest - ran the Great Road that led out to Rohan and on into the far north. The second gate faced Osgiliath, and was guarded by the two Causeway Forts that were destroyed in the War of the Ring. Finally a third gateway stood to the south, where a road ran out towards Pelargir and on across the southern fiefs of Gondor.
Notes
1 |
According to Tolkien's extended index to The Lord of the Rings, the wall was raised by Steward Denethor II, so the earliest possible date for its construction would be III 2984, the date of Denethor's accession to the Stewardship. The need for the defensive wall was linked to the fall of Ithilien, thirty years before Denethor became Ruling Steward, which might be taken to imply that he would have raised it relatively early in his rule.
|
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 5 January 2026
- This entry is complete
For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.
Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2012, 2025, 2026. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.
SHARE
