Abasha Municipality
Abasha in Samegrelo: the Colchis plain between the Rioni and Tskhenistskali, medieval churches, Gamsakhurdia museum and Katsoburi reserve.
Abasha Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Abasha Municipality lies in the south-east of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, on the flat Kolkheti (Colchis) lowland, with the town of Abasha as its administrative centre, at about 23 m above sea level between the Abasha and Noghela rivers. The municipality covers just over 300 km² of fertile plains crossed by the Rioni, Tskhenistskali, Abasha and Noghela rivers. The Abasha River, which gives the town its name, rises in the hills of Martvili and joins the Tekhuri.
The area has a long history: the medieval chronicler Juansher mentions it in connection with the 8th-century Arab campaign of Marwan. The modern town grew up around a railway station on the Tbilisi–Poti line in the 1870s; Abasha became a small town (daba) in 1923, a district centre in 1930, and received town status in 1964. Today it is the seat of the Chkondidi Eparchy of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The municipality preserves a number of late medieval churches typical of Samegrelo, including the church of Kadari (16th century), the Tkviria Church of the Saviour (15th–16th centuries), the basilica of Sepieti and the Church of St George in Sujuni (18th century). The Konstantine Gamsakhurdia House-Museum commemorates one of the greatest Georgian writers of the 20th century.
Nature lovers can visit the Katsoburi Managed Reserve, established in 1996 and covering 295 ha of the wetland and floodplain landscapes of the Colchis lowland. The rivers and plains of Abasha are typical of lowland Samegrelo, with farmland and small villages.
For travellers, Abasha is a quiet stop on the main road and railway of western Georgia, between Kutaisi and Zugdidi: visit the Gamsakhurdia museum and village churches, explore the Katsoburi reserve and continue to Martvili, Senaki or the Black Sea coast.
FAQ
1) Where is Abasha Municipality located?
In the south-east of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, on the Kolkheti lowland.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The town of Abasha, between the Abasha and Noghela rivers.
3) When did Abasha become a town?
In 1964; it had been a small town (daba) since 1923.
4) How old is the area?
It is mentioned by the chronicler Juansher in connection with the 8th-century Arab campaign of Marwan.
5) Which rivers flow through the municipality?
The Rioni, Tskhenistskali, Abasha and Noghela.
6) Which churches can be visited?
Kadari (16th century), Tkviria (15th–16th centuries), Sepieti and Sujuni (18th century).
7) Is there a writer’s museum?
Yes, the Konstantine Gamsakhurdia House-Museum.
8) What is Katsoburi?
A managed reserve established in 1996, covering 295 ha of lowland wetlands.
9) Which eparchy has its seat in Abasha?
The Chkondidi Eparchy of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website.