Morgul-road

The Morgul-road was the eastward road from the Cross-roads of Ithilien to the valley of the Morgul Vale and the fortress of Minas Morgul. In the early Third Age it was known as the road to Minas Ithil, but after the Nazgûl captured the city in TA 2002, the road became known as the Morgul-road.

From the Cross-roads, the Morgul-road ran directly east across South Ithilien, crossing streams by way of stone bridges and passing between wooded banks and sunken ways. Upon reaching the Morgulduin, the road entered the foul vale, lined by fields of pale flowers. It crossed the river by a white bridge and reached the gates of Minas Morgul, before climbing toward the pass of Cirith Ungol and into Mordor.

The road was originally constructed by Gondor in the early Third Age to connect Osgiliath with Minas Ithil. After the Nazgûl took Minas Ithil and it became Minas Morgul, the road served as Mordor's western approach.

During the War of the Ring, the road was repaired and heavily used by the armies of Sauron. Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and Gollum traveled the Morgul-road on TA 3019, March 7, entering the Morgul Vale and ascending toward Cirith Ungol. On TA 3019, March 10, the Witch-king led a great host of Morgul out by way of the road to assault Minas Tirith. After the downfall of Sauron, King Elessar ordered the destruction of Minas Morgul, and the road fell into ruin.

Role in the War of the Ring

• TA 3019, March 7 – Frodo, Sam, and Gollum traveled the Morgul-road into the Morgul Vale.
• TA 3019, March 10 – The army of Minas Morgul issued forth along the road under the Witch-king’s command.
• After the War – With the destruction of Minas Morgul, the Morgul-road lost its purpose and was abandoned.

"A strong and white light suddenly came down the road from the city. Its edges were shrouded in shadow, but the center of the roadway glittered with a pale radiance. The host of Morgul had come forth." — The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"