Tower of Cirith Ungol

The tower rises in three tiers on the eastern side of the Ephel Dúath, below the cleft of Cirith Ungol and above the road that runs down into the valley of Gorgoroth. From its walls a garrison could see any movement in the plain below and control the only path over the mountains.

Men of Gondor raised it after the Last Alliance as part of the watch on Mordor, together with the Towers of the Teeth at the Morannon. When the Great Plague emptied the forts, Sauron's servants took them all, and the tower's purpose reversed: it now kept things from escaping Mordor.

When the orcs brought Frodo in, the garrison of Shagrat quarreled with Gorbag's Morgul company over his mithril coat, and the two sides killed each other almost to the last orc. Sam walked in through the gate past the Two Watchers, found Frodo alive in the topmost chamber, and the pair escaped in orc gear onto the road north.

Events at this place

1. TA 3019, March 13 · The Lord of the Rings

   Frodo imprisoned

   Orcs carried Frodo from Shelob's tunnel to the tower, where his gear was stripped and sent toward Barad-dûr.

2. TA 3019, March 14 · The Lord of the Rings

   The garrisons destroy each other

   Shagrat's and Gorbag's companies fought over the mithril coat, leaving the tower almost empty when Sam arrived.

3. TA 3019, March 14 · The Lord of the Rings

   Sam's rescue

   Sam passed the Two Watchers, found Frodo in the top chamber and returned the Ring to him. Both fled disguised as orcs.

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