Places in Middle-earth
Topmost chamber of the White Tower
Type: Fortresses, Towers, Defenses
Region: Gondor
Location: A locked secret room at the top of the White Tower; contains the palantír of Minas Tirith.
Description: 'Some say that as [Lord Denethor] sits alone in his high chamber in the Tower at night, and bends his thought this way and that, he can read somewhat of the future; and that he will at times search even the mind of the Enemy....'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith
... [Denethor] himself went up alone into the secret room under the summit of the Tower; and many who looked up thither at that time saw a pale light that gleamed and flickered from the narrow windows for a while, and then flashed and went out.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 4, The Siege of Gondor
'It was in the very hour that Faramir was brought to the Tower that many of us saw a strange light in the topmost chamber,' said Beregond. 'But we have seen that light before, and it has long been rumoured in the City, that the Lord would at times wrestle in thought with his Enemy.'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 7, The Pyre of Denethor
The palantíri were no doubt never matters of ... common knowledge.... In Middle-earth they were kept in guarded rooms, high in strong towers, only kings and rulers, and their appointed wardens, had access to them, and they were never consulted, nor exhibited, publicly.
Unfinished Tales, Part 4, Ch 3, The Palantíri
Contributors: Elena Tiriel 21Oct05