Second Gate

The Second Gate, leading into the second circle of Minas Tirith, was offset from the Great Gate, and lay in the southeastern quarter of the city.

Beyond the main entrance to Minas Tirith, the Great Gate in the eastern outer wall, the city rose up from its first circle into six further tiers, each with its own circular wall and gate. The wall that separated the second circle from the first had a single gate, naturally known as the Second Gate. This gate opened to the southeast, so travellers entering the city would need to turn to their left and follow the inner wall around a quarter of its circuit to come to the Second Gate.

During the Battle of the Pelennor, the Second Gate briefly became Minas Tirith's last line of defence. With the buildings of the first circle burning uncontrollably, and the Great Gate of the city broken, most of the despairing people and defenders retreated up to the second circle. In the event, the Second Gate was not tested; the timely arrival of the Rohirrim forced the enemy to withdraw and confront the new force in the battle, and Sauron's armies were defeated before they could attempt an assault on the Second Gate.