"The City of Fog," though it is not London. In the heart of Lebanon, at the top of the mountain, there is another city called the City of Fog, guarding the capital, Beirut, from its heights… it is the city of Aley.
The city's name originates from the Aramaic language and means "the high place," referring to its altitude of over 950 meters above sea level and its view over Beirut. In addition to the title "City of Fog," which it earned due to being affected by cloudy weather during the summer, Aley has several other titles such as the "Bride of Summer Resorts," as it contains many resorts that are of great importance to the tourism sector, as well as the title of Capital of the Mountain.
It is one of the six districts of the Mount Lebanon Governorate and serves as the district's center. It includes 67 towns and is the fourth-largest Lebanese city by area. It is located about 16 kilometers from the capital, Beirut, and its population ranges from 70,000 in the winter to over 100,000 in the summer. The majority of its inhabitants are from the Druze Unitarian sect, and it also includes Christian minorities from the Melkite Greek Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Maronite sects. There is also a significant number of people from the Arab Gulf countries who own homes there and return every summer for their summer holidays due to its moderate climate and the natural scenery found in the region.
The city gained its historical importance due to its strategic location near the Beirut-Damascus railway line during the mid-1890s; the railway was used to transport the people of Beirut to Mount Lebanon, which paved the way for the city to become a tourist destination. Furthermore, it hosted the most prominent artists on the stages of the "Aley Casino," such as Umm Kulthum, Farid al-Atrash, Asmahan, and Sabah. The latter also had a house in Aley that still preserves its history and authenticity in the heart of the region.
To this day, Aley remains one of the most important tourist destinations in Lebanon, as it occupies a significant location, in addition to its beautiful climate, and is considered a resort frequented by many tourists. Among its most important tourist sites are:
Aley Souk: A long historical street lined with trees, considered one of the most beautiful walking areas.
Ras El Jabal: For its stunning scenery and wonderful view of Beirut.
Old Houses and Souks: These markets are divided into two parts; the first consists of stone houses built in an attractive architectural style on the eastern side, and the other part consists of a group of outdoor cafes and restaurants located on the western side, as well as many antique shops.
The Symposium: For its large collection of antiques and sculptures by the most important artists.
