Citadel of Gondor

The Citadel of Gondor was the topmost circle of the city of Minas Tirith, within the seventh wall. Within the citadel was the White Tower of Ecthelion, which housed the Tower Hall. Several other buildings were located here as well.
== Description ==
In the center was the White Tower, rising to a great height. Behind was the king's house, where the Kings of Gondor once lived. To one side was the feast hall Merethrond, where banquets and dances were held. In front of the tower was the Place of the Fountain, a courtyard containing the White tree and a central fountain. The Citadel was accessed via a wide tunnel through the hill that led to a small arched gate with a keystone in the shape of a king's head. As with all the city's levels, the Citadel had a high wall, the rampart of which crowned the great up thrust 'keel' of rock separating five of the seven circles.
Probably the most important symbolic area of the city, the Place of the Fountain was the home of the great White Tree. It was a large circular grass area with the White Tree being the central feature. Next to the tree was a pool with the fountain that gave the courtyard its name. The Tree symbolized Gondor, and was the emblem of the realm. The Tree was grown from a seed of Nimloth, the tree given to the Númenóreans by the Eldar. It was planted by Isildur, and grew to symbolize the blessings of Men. But in the third age the tree was dead, perhaps symbolizing Minas Tirith's decline. It was only with the crowning of Aragorn Elessar that a new sapling was founded, foreshadowing the City's return to glory under the new King.