Cirith Ungol

Cirith Ungol is a fictional location in J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth.

It was a fortress built by the Men of Gondor on the western edges of Mordor after the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was fought.

Its purpose was to defend Ithilien from attacks from Sauron's remaining servants. For that reason its two bastions were directed to the north- and southeast. But it was also used to stop Sauron's servants from returning to Mordor.

Gondor occupied the fortress probably till T.A. 1636 when the Great Plague killed large parts of Gondor's population. After the Plague Gondor never again occupied Cirith Ungol and evil was allowed to return to Mordor.

Associated with the mountain fortress of Durthang