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
*The Blue Mountains
=== 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 Battle of the Powers)
*Umbar (while held by the Corsairs)
Category:Buildings and structures