The resorts of Abkhazia have long earned a reputation as one of the best on the territory of the former Soviet Union. Rest in Abkhazian cities fell in love with Russian tourists due to the affordability of prices, the pleasant proximity of their native country and the hospitality with which the locals receive visitors.
You can take a break from the cold or humid climate in the sunny capital of Abkhazia – Sukhum. Tourism has become an integral part of the city for a long time, so local authorities spend a lot of money to improve the tourist infrastructure. Sukhum abounds in green spaces, and modern hotels and resorts offer a whole range of services.
The coast of Sukhum is clean and tidy. In addition to the traditional swimming in the sea, on the shore you can have fun boating, jet skis and motor boats. If you wish, you can retire to the so-called `` wild '' a beach ideal for romantic picnics and diving. Its opposite is the paid comfortable beach at the military sanatorium.
Beach in Sukhum
Rest in Sukhum can become not only pleasant entertainment after working days, but also an opportunity to improve health. Specialists from local sanatoriums, which specialize in the treatment of skin, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, as well as problems with the musculoskeletal system, will help to heal the body and restore mental balance. Treatments can be very enjoyable – they include mud baths, inhalations and physiotherapy.
The climate of the Black Sea coast and the developed infrastructure of Sukhum are conducive to rest with a child. Parents don't have to complain about the quality of water or food in local restaurants and hotels. The entertainment program for young tourists can include a visit to the water park and the botanical garden. In addition, children will be delighted with the excursion to the monkey nursery, which is home to several hundred species of primates.
To remember the rest, you can buy a couple of souvenirs or the famous Abkhaz wine.
Monkey nursery in Sukhum
Sightseeing and tourism
The history of the city dates back to the 6th century BC, when a settlement that appeared here around the 1st millennium BC was replaced by a Millesian Greek colony.
The rise of the city took place after the consolidation of strong trade relations with Greece, from where Greek weapons were transported to Sukhum, and goods, exported from the city were flax, local salts, hemp and Caucasian timber. The city was also the main center of Colchis for the slave trade.
At the end of the 2nd century BC, the city was captured by Mithridates the Fourth of Pontus. During the reign of Emperor Augustus (Sebastos), the city was renamed Sebastopolis. However, the early prosperity of the city was already in the past. Today archaeologists in the Black Sea have found ruins of towers and walls dating back to that time.
Botanical Garden in Sukhum
In 542, the city population was evacuated by the Romans, and the citadel was destroyed, in order to prevent its capture by the rulers from Iran in the future. After a while, in 565, the citadel was restored by Emperor Justinian the First, after which Sebastopolis again became one of the Byzantine holds in Colchis. After that, the city reappeared in the annals, but under the name Tsukhumi.
In the 12-13th centuries, the city became a maritime center. In 1451 the city was occupied by the Ottoman fleet, but not for long. After that, the princes of Mingrelia and Abkhazia began to divide the rights to possession of the city, and as a result of strife, the city fell under the influence of the Turks. In the future, the city was given a new name – Sukhumkale.
In 1810, at the request of the Abkhazian prince, who supported the Russian government, the Russian fleet began an assault on the Turkish hold, and after a successful assault the city was turned by Russia into the main fort post of the North Caucasus. In 1864 Sukhumkale received the status of a seaport and was officially annexed to the Russian Empire.
Baslet Bridge
In 1917, after the revolution, the city was plunged into the chaos of a civil war. In 1918 the short-term Bolshevik government was overthrown, and the city became part of the Georgian Democratic Republic. In 1921, the city was recaptured from the Georgian military forces by the Red Army and local revolutionaries.
In 1989-93, during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, most of the city was badly damaged. From 1992-93 the city was constantly under shelling. Today the city is undergoing restoration work and new buildings are being built.
One of the main attractions in the city is Baslet Bridge, which is an architectural monument. The bridge is located in the northern part of the city on the Basla (Basletka) river. The arch of the bridge consisted of square limestone slabs hewn in the form of wedges. On the side of the bridge, you can see an inscription carved on hewn slabs (dating from the 11th-12th centuries), which reads: `` Christ the Lord, magnify in every possible way in both lives ... '' Previously, the bridge was of military and strategic importance. Next to the bridge are the ruins of battle towers erected to protect the bridge from attacks and to enter the gorge.
Remains of Bagrat Castle
Bagrat Castle is also of particular interest. The building is located on a mountain in the north-east of Sukhumi. The castle got its name in honor of King Bagrat III. The building was originally built as a fortress to protect the approaches from the southern part of the city. Today only ruins have survived from the deputy. In the middle of the 20th century, archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory of the castle, during which household items dating back to the 12-13 centuries were found. 12th century Byzantine coins, glass jewelry, and animal bones have also been found.
Kelasur wall is a protective structure, built by order of the emperor Justinian in the 6th century. Initially, the wall ran from the territory of Sukhumi to the Inguri river, however, today only a couple of small preserved sections of the wall can be seen.
Nature lovers should definitely visit the city Botanical Garden, which is one of the oldest in the Caucasus. The garden was founded in 1838. Today, on an area of about 30 hectares, about 5 thousand varieties of trees, flowers and shrubs grow. One of the main attractions of the garden is the Caucasian linden tree, which is 250 years old.
Also in the city it is worth visiting such no less significant places as Sukhumi fortress,Red Bridge,Abkhaz Drama Theater, Museum of local lore,Abkhaz State Philharmonic, etc.
