Alexandria

Alexandria (アレクサンドリア) was the former ancient capital of the Midgar Kingdom, until it was destroyed by the guardian Mist Dragon, upset at an ancient king for not upholding a vow to kill it. Centuries later, it became the base of Shadow Garden after Shadow bested the Mist Dragon in battle.

History
Long ago, the king of Alexandria formed a pact with the Mist Dragon, who promised prosperity for the city and protected the city using his mist, asking in return that one day the king or his descendant will give the Mist Dragon a death.

However, as time passed, the pact was forgotten and the king's descendants became greedy with their prosperity instead of striving to grow in strength. In response for this broken pledge, the Mist Dragon laid waste to the capital for a test to see if they were worthy to kill the dragon.

However, the capital fell in one night against the Mist Dragon's force along with the king's descendant and it's inhabitants. After it's destruction, Mist Dragon used the fallen city as it's resting place and Alexandria became a folklore of legend, with which its existence had yet to be confirmed, because the city was concealed by the Mist Dragon's poison mist around the Abyss Woods.

Background
Centuries later, a pre-teen Shadow and his Seven Shadows were in search for a new home to stay after their previous location was compromised by the Cult's investigators. They would uncover Alexandria and face off against the Mist Dragon, to which only Cid defeated the Mist Dragon using an underdeveloped "I Am Atomic" but could not kill him. The dragon then swore obedience to Shadow allowing his organization to use Alexandria as their headquarters, believing that Shadow will be able to kill him one day.

God of War Festival Tournament
After Rose Oriana's assassination of her father, Alpha led the princess to the hidden city, where Shadow Garden's headquarter was revealed in all its glory. As Lambda trained new recruits, Alpha ordered the militant officer to train the newcomer as well.

Location
It was a legendary capital, said to be far east of the Sacred Land Lindwurm at Midgar, beyond the Abyss Woods. It's a natural stronghold, surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides and to the west of the Abyss Woods, which is protected by the Mist Dragon's deadly poison mist and the rumor has it that anyone who enters it can never return.

Layout
The inner city is truly a veritable utopia itself, housing various departments organized with Shadow Garden members, such as defense system, training centers, research and development labs, housing, etc. Additionally, Alexandria's land is so fertile that it can grow cacao and coffee trees, which are the only ones in the world on vast plantations that are cultivated into chocolate and coffee. The lands also grow other earthen products used for the materials sold in stores.

Upon claiming the city, Gamma was delighted to be able to make her long-awaited "chocolate." Afterwards, the members managed to install the farm and refined the cocoa en mass. As a result, Mitsugoshi Company became the only company in the different world that could exclusively sell chocolate. Later, Gamma succeeded in reproducing the coffee that Cid talked about in "Shadow Wisdom," cultivating it as exclusively as the chocolate.

Trivia

 * In the anime, the city ruins remain while Shadow Garden built contemporary structures and exterior lightings; such as dorms and training centers, as well as street lights.
 * Also in the anime, a monumental statue to Shadow stands in the city center, glorifying Shadow Garden's founder for claiming the city.