Fortress

There were many fortresses, castles, and strongholds in Arda, such as Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, Isengard, Minas Morgul, and Barad-dûr. All were strong buildings most of which were built for defensive purposes. They were usually made of stone, and archers could shoot safely from behind the walls.
== List of fortresses of Arda ==
=== Of Men at the end of the Third Age ===
* Cair Andros
* Dale
* Dol Amroth
* Dunharrow
* Hornburg
* Henneth Annûn
* Minas Tirith
* Osgiliath (West bank)
* Pelargir
=== Fortresses/strongholds of Elves ===
* Caras Galadhon (the capital of Lothlórien ) (Survived to the end of the Third Age)
* Rivendell (Imladris) (Survived into the Fourth Age)
* Elvenking's Halls (Survived into the Fourth Age)
* The Grey Havens (Survived into the Fourth Age)
* Barad Eithel (destroyed by the forces of Morgoth)
* Forlond (Survived into the Fourth Age)
* Himring (after end of the First Age, mostly underwater)
* Harlond (Survived into the Fourth Age)
* Minas Tirith (in Beleriand) (torn down by Lúthien)
* Gondolin (destroyed by the forces of Morgoth)
* Menegroth (sacked and ruined by the Sons of Fëanor)
* Nargothrond (sacked by the forces of Morgoth)
* Ost-in-Edhil (Destroyed mid-Second Age in the War of the Elves and Sauron)
=== Fortresses/strongholds of Dwarves ===
* Khazad-dûm (Moria) sometimes called the The Mines of Moria
* The Lonely Mountain (Erebor)
* The Iron Hills
* Belegost (in the Blue Mountains, ruined at end of the First Age)
* Nogrod (in the Blue Mountains, ruined at the end of the First Age)
* Grey Mountains (Ered Mithrin), driven out by dragons
=== Fortresses/strongholds of Evil ===
* Barad-dûr (capital of Mordor and seat of Sauron, destroyed in the War of the Ring)
* Dol Guldur (temporary seat of Sauron's power as the Necromancer, destroyed in the War of the Ring)
* Minas Morgul (formerly Minas Ithil before being captured by Sauron, demolished early Fourth Age)
* Black Gate (destroyed in the War of the Ring)
* Durthang (formerly a fortress of Gondor)
* Isenmouthe
* Tower of Cirith Ungol (formerly a fortress of Gondor)
* Carn Dûm (capital of the realm of Angmar, ruined mid-Third Age)
* Mount Gundabad
* Isengard (after Saruman became allied with Sauron, mostly destroyed in the War of the Ring)
* Angband (Melkor's secondary fortress until his primary fortress Utumno was destroyed. Became his main fortress after his return to Middle-earth until his defeat in the War of Wrath)
* Utumno (Main fortress of Melkor until its destruction in the War for Sake of the Elves)
* Umbar (while held by the Corsairs)