A list of beauties, wonders and attractions for those who are going to independently explore the interesting places of Abkhazia. Finding out what is worth seeing and where to go on vacation in the summer.
Abkhazia is not only the Land of the Soul, but also the Land of fairy tales. Here, almost every lake, mountain, hill, temple or fortress is associated with a beautiful and instructive, like all Abkhaz legends, legend: about courage and cowardice, about good and evil, about devotion and betrayal. Abkhazia, like Crimea, is one continuous attraction - you can simply arm yourself with a map and wander, looking for antiquities.
Abkhazia is rich in medieval temples and fortresses, as well as natural beauty. Almost every village has some kind of attraction, but not one. There are many interesting places in the country that you will have to puzzle over when choosing where to go. So, let's find out what you can see in Abkhazia on your own this summer!
What to see in Gagra
The Gagra district has something to boast of: both the city and the surrounding area are full of attractions. Not far from Gagra are the ruins of the impressive medieval Khashup fortresses and Hasanta abaa, as well as the Bzyb and Kaldahuar fortresses. You can visit the early Christian Tsandripshsky temple and the active church of St. Hypatia Gagrinsky, built in the 5-6th century.
Not far from Gagra, on the way to the famous Lake Ritsa, there is an amazingly clear Blue Lake, similar to a giant sapphire - they say that the bottom of the lake is covered with lapis lazuli deposits, which is why it has such a bright blue color. The water in the lake is always cold.
An independent trip to Abkhazia must include mountains: for example, Mount Mamdzishkha, which is considered one of the most picturesque in Abkhazia - it is definitely worth climbing. The height of the mountain is 1873 meters. It is adjoined by the Mamdzishkha ridge, at the foot of which there is the Blue Lake. There are two observation platforms on the mountain, from where a gorgeous view of the sea coast opens.
In Gagra itself, it is worth looking at the castle of the Prince of Oldenburg, the Gagripsh restaurant, the famous colonnade, mansions of the early 20th century, and so on.
Learn about your holiday in Gagra.
Pitsunda
First of all, visit the relict pine grove, famous for its beneficial properties and beneficial effect on the treatment of various diseases. Walking along the coastline 7 km long and 200 hectares in size is a real pleasure and benefit. Not far from Pitsunda, there is also the Pitsundo-Mussera Nature Reserve, in which relict and endemic plants grow: Pitsunda pine, Colchis boxwood, tree heather, strawberry tree and others. The reserve is large - its area is 3,761 thousand hectares.
What else to see in Pitsunda? Visit the Pitsunda Temple, an example of Byzantine architecture The church has excellent acoustics, so don't be lazy and go to a concert of organ music - you won't regret it.
What to See in Gudauta
Going this summer on an independent trip to Abkhazia and deciding exactly where to go to see the sights and other interesting places, pay attention to the Gudauta region. Not far from the city there are the ruins of the early medieval Mchishta temple and the Aylaga-abyku temple, as well as the Mchishta rock castle.
In the village of Abgarhuk, curious vacationers will find the impregnable fortress of Mushba and the ancient fortress of Abakhuats, located on a high cliff and surrounded by almost sheer cliffs - in case of danger, a fire was lit in the fortress, which was seen by all local residents and hid in caves.
There are also many interesting things in the village of Anukhva: the "Agtsa" grotto, which is located in a rock at a height of about 30 meters - the drawings in it belong to the Upper Paleolithic era; The Msygvinsky temple, part of which is excellently preserved; Achanua temple and Psyrtsky temple, Abaruk and Bzhilva fortresses. But the most interesting are the acanguars, stone pyramidal structures built without the use of mortar and surrounded by myths and legends.
What else to see in the vicinity of Gudauta, which is already rich in sights? In the Gudauta region there are the famous Ritsa Lake and the Gega waterfall, which need no introduction. True, the hike to Lake Ritsa is a little overshadowed by the tourist activities and infrastructure that have unfolded here, but the lake is still beautiful. You can also visit the mineral springs of Auadhara.
New Athos
The new Athos also belongs to the Gudauta region, but we will tell you about it separately. The city is ancient, founded in the 3rd century AD. e. Greeks - earlier it was called Trachea, Aakopia, Nikopsia and was a major seaport. Now New Athos is known primarily for the New Athos monastery and complex, the grotto and temple of Simon the Canaanite, as well as for the most beautiful caves - New Athos and Voronya-Krubera cave. New Athos is considered the ancient and spiritual capital of Abkhazia.
What else to see in New Athos, in addition to the above sights? You can climb the Iverskaya Mountain in order to explore the Anakopia fortress and temple, take a walk in Primorsky Park, as well as see the Genoa Tower and visit Stalin's dacha.
Learn about holidays in New Athos.
Attractions in Sukhum
The capital of Abkhazia with a turbulent history - the city is more than 2500 years old.
What interesting places and sights can be seen in the capital of Abkhazia:
- Kamany village is a revered holy place;
- Besletsky Bridge - a medieval arched bridge called the Queen Tamara Bridge;
- Chernigovka village with natural jacuzzi;
- The botanical garden in Sukhum is one of the oldest in the world;
- Abkhaz Drama Theater;
- Sukhum fortress;
- The alpine village of Pskhu, where time seems to have stood still;
- Akap temple and much more.
Gulripshsky district
What else is worth seeing in Abkhazia on your own this summer, where else can you go for sights? Interesting places do not end in Sukhum! In the Gulripshsky region, we advise you to visit Lake Atkel, which is called the younger brother of Ritsa - a lake with an underwater forest, formed as a result of a strong earthquake and a flooded gorge. No less interesting and picturesque are the Tsebelda Valley and the Kodori Gorge. The Shakuran Gorge with a cascade of waterfalls, caves, boxwood forests and mineral springs will give you fabulous landscapes. And finally, visit the ruins of the medieval Great Abkhaz Wall and the beautiful Weeping Fortress (Natsmer), as well as take a walk in the seaside Agudzera Park, where eucalyptus and cork trees grow.
Interesting places of the Ochamchira region
Those who are going on an independent trip to Abkhazia will have to make a long list of attractions. What is just one list of interesting places in the vicinity of Ochamchire, the ancient city formerly known as Guenos! There you can independently see the Abskila cave with hot springs and mineral water (it is also called the Otap cave), the snow-white temple of Marmal-abaa, Mount Lashkindar and the Lashkindar temple, the Mokva cathedral and the Ilor temple, the Pshaurin architectural complex ...
Gali and Tkuarchal districts
In Gala and the surrounding area, we recommend that you see independently the mountain and the fortress of Satanjo, the temple of Atskar, the fortresses of Ozartse and Rech abaa. Also of interest are the reservoir, hydroelectric power station and tea plantations. But the Tkuarchal region was not lucky - it was badly damaged during the war. We recommend to see the Bedia temple and mineral springs.
