Orthanc
The unbreakable Númenórean tower at the heart of Isengard, later Saruman's seat of power.
the Tower of Orthanc Mount Fang Cunning Mind the Tower
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Orthanc is the great tower at the centre of the ring of Isengard, built in a bygone age from stone no tool could mar. Its name carries two meanings that happen to coincide, one Elvish and one Rohirric. Long unwatched by Gondor, it became the stronghold of the wizard Saruman, until the Ents of Fangorn besieged and encircled the tower.
In the Annals
Where the Tale of Years names this entry: 4 entries.
- TA c. 3000Saruman ventures to use the stone of Orthanc and is caught by Sauron, who holds the stone of Minas Ithil; from then on he betrays the Council.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
- TA 3018 · 07-10Saruman holds Gandalf prisoner on the pinnacle of Orthanc.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
- TA 3018 · 09-18Gandalf gets away from Orthanc before daybreak. The Black Riders come over the Fords of Isen.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
- TA 3019 · 03-05At noon Théoden comes to Isengard and parleys with Saruman in Orthanc. That night a winged shadow crosses the camp below Dol Baran, and Gandalf rides off with Peregrin. Frodo hides within sight of the Black Gate.Appendix B, The Tale of Years
Sources
- The Lord of the Rings — Book III, ch. 8, The Road to Isengard
- The Lord of the Rings — Book III, ch. 10, The Voice of Saruman
- The Lord of the Rings — Appendix A, I (iv), The Stewards
Cite this page
Legendarium (2026): „Orthanc“. Last updated August 18, 2026. https://www.legendarium.page/places/orthanc/
APA
Legendarium. (2026). Orthanc. Last updated August 18, 2026. https://www.legendarium.page/places/orthanc/
MLA
„Orthanc“. Legendarium, 2026, https://www.legendarium.page/places/orthanc/. Last updated August 18, 2026.
BibTeX
@misc{legendarium-orthanc-en,
title = {Orthanc},
author = {{Legendarium}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://www.legendarium.page/places/orthanc/}},
note = {Last updated August 18, 2026}
}