Osgiliath

Osgiliath was the capital city of Gondor. During the War of the Ring, the abandoned city gained strategic importance as a crossing point over the Anduin, both for the Men of Gondor and Orcs of Mordor.
At the heart of Osgiliath was a great stone bridge over the river. On the bridge was a tower containing the famous Dome of Stars, which housed the city's palantír. Another important building (or possibly the same one) was the Great Hall, which initially served as a throne room for Isildur and Anárion.
Translated, its name means "The Citadel of the Host of Stars"
== History ==
=== Rise and Decline ===
The city was founded by Isildur and Anárion near the end of the Second Age, built on either side of the Anduin river. Ruling Gondor jointly, Osgiliath was their joint capital. During the War of the Last Alliance the city was attacked by Sauron's forces but was successfully defended by Anárion.
At the height of Gondor's power the city was a reflection of the splendour of Númenor's cities, but this was not to last. Decline started with the Kin-strife when Osgiliath was sacked and burned by the forces of Castamir the Usurper and the city's Palantír was lost in the Anduin. The decline of the city was greatly accelerated by the Great Plague of TA 1636 and Osgiliath began to fall into ruin, with King Tarondor moving the capital to Minas Anor in TA 1640.
The final blow came in TA 2475, when Uruks of Mordor overran and captured Osgiliath. Though they were thrown back by Boromir, son of the then-Steward Denethor I, Osgiliath was finally ruined and completely abandoned, and its great bridge was broken.
== Lord of the Rings trilogy ==
=== The Two Towers. ===
A flashback is shown from a prior year of Boromir speaking to the masses of Osgiliath, and to his brother, after a battle. Faramir leads his Rangers from Henneth Annûn to Osgiliath, which is under light bombardment by Orcs on its eastern side. Since he had captured Sam, Frodo and Gollum, he takes them there by force. A Nazgûl upon a Fellbeast attacks the city, and the company scatters. Frodo is drawn to the wraith, at a bridge, but Faramir fends it off, and afterwards soon releases them.
=== The Return of the King ===
Osgiliath is featured in many scenes, including that of its western half's final seizure by Orcs, led by Gothmog at night, in a battle lost and fled by Faramir and the defenders. A few days later, the army of Sauron and its siege-towers are seen crossing through the city over repaired bridges.
Category:Locations