Word of the Day: Minas Ithil ‘tower of the rising moon,’ ‘moon tower’. It was later called Minas Morgul (for 12/10 here). It is set most east in the kingdom of Gondor, protecting its capital, Osgilliath.
Origins of Minas Ithil
It came from the roots minas ‘tower’, ithil ‘moon.’ It later became Minas Morgul, ‘Tower of Sorcery.’
It was once a fortress of Gondor, and was built by the Númenoreans. This had a purpose of defense against Mordor in the second age. It became Minas Morgul when it was taken by Gondor as its power weakened.

[…] preventing them from retaining to Mordor. Then, it underwent a long desertion, which occurred when Minas Ithil was renamed Minas Morgul, and many people fled who dwelled there, opting instead for the Andean to […]