Aitat
Town
Map of Lebanon showing the location of Aitat
Map of Lebanon showing the location of Aitat
Aitat
Aitat shown within Lebanon
Coordinates: 33°47′30″N 35°33′26″E / 33.79167°N 35.55722°E / 33.79167; 35.55722
CountryLebanon
GovernorateMount Lebanon
DistrictAley
CityAley
Area
[1]
 • Total2.40 km2 (0.93 sq mi)
Elevation
[1]
630 m (2,070 ft)
Time zoneUTC+2
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3
ISO 3166 codeLB

Aitat, or Aytat (Arabic: عيتات), is a town located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of the town of Aley within the district of the same name in the Lebanese governorate of Mount Lebanon. It was a strategic place during the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), due to its view to Beirut.

History

In 1838, Eli Smith noted the place, called Aithath, located in El-Ghurb el-Fokany, upper el-Ghurb.[2]

With its neighboring Christian town of Souk El-Gharb, this town remains one of the most memorable places in Lebanon for the Druze and the Christians as a reminder the fierce and deadly battles that occurred during the Lebanese Civil War. Today Aitat and Souk El-Gharb are considered to be the symbol of unity and forgiveness.

The Abi Saab's, Timani’s and Talhouq's, are the most well known families of Aitat and the Aley district.

References

  1. 1 2 Aaytat, Localiban
  2. ↑ Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 191

Bibliography

  • Robinson, E.; Smith, E. (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the year 1838. Vol. 3. Boston: Crocker & Brewster.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.