# Abasha Municipality - URL: https://explore-georgia.ge/en/municipalities/abasha-municipality - Type: municipality - Region: Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti - Official website: https://abasha.gov.ge ## History 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. ## Sources - [Abasha Municipality — official website](https://abasha.gov.ge) - [Abasha Municipality (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abasha_Municipality) - [Abasha (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abasha) - [Abasha — Georgia Travel](https://georgia.travel/cities-towns/abasha) - [Katsoburi Managed Reserve (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsoburi_Managed_Reserve) - [Abasha (river) (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abasha_%28river%29) ## Settlements - [Abashispiri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/abashispiri): Discover Abashispiri, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Bulvani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/bulvani): Discover Bulvani, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Dziguri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/dziguri): Discover Dziguri, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Dzveli Abasha](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/dzveli-abasha): Discover Dzveli Abasha, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Etseri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/etseri): Discover Etseri, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gaghma Kodori](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gaghma-kodori): Discover Gaghma Kodori, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gaghma Zanati](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gaghma-zanati): Discover Gaghma Zanati, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gamoghma Kodori](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gamoghma-kodori): Discover Gamoghma Kodori, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gamoghma Zanati](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gamoghma-zanati): Discover Gamoghma Zanati, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gautsqinari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gautsqinari): Discover Gautsqinari, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gezati](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gezati): Discover Gezati, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gugunaqati](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gugunaqati): Discover Gugunaqati, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Guleikari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/guleikari): Discover Guleikari, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gulukheti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/gulukheti): Discover Gulukheti, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Ketilari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/ketilari): Discover Ketilari, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kolobani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/kolobani): Discover Kolobani, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kvishanchala](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/kvishanchala): Discover Kvishanchala, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Maidani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/maidani): Discover Maidani, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Maranchala](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/maranchala): Discover Maranchala, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Marani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/marani): Discover Marani, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Matskhovriskari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/matskhovriskari): Discover Matskhovriskari, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Meore Etseri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/meore-etseri): Discover Meore Etseri, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Meore Ontopo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/meore-ontopo): Discover Meore Ontopo, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Naesakovo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/naesakovo): Discover Naesakovo, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Norio](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/norio): Discover Norio, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Ontopo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/ontopo): Discover Ontopo, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Patara Gezati](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/patara-gezati): Discover Patara Gezati, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Pirveli Etseri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/pirveli-etseri): Discover Pirveli Etseri, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Pirveli Maisi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/pirveli-maisi): Discover Pirveli Maisi, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Pirveli Ontopo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/pirveli-ontopo): Discover Pirveli Ontopo, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Sabokuchavo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/sabokuchavo): Discover Sabokuchavo, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Sagvazavo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/sagvazavo): Discover Sagvazavo, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Samikao](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/samikao): Discover Samikao, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Sepieti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/sepieti): Discover Sepieti, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Sujuna](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/sujuna): Discover Sujuna, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tkhmelari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/tkhmelari): Discover Tkhmelari, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tqviri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/tqviri): Discover Tqviri, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tsalikari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/tsalikari): Discover Tsalikari, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tsilori](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/tsilori): Discover Tsilori, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tsqemi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samegrelo-zemo-svaneti/abasha-municipality/tsqemi): Discover Tsqemi, a village in Abasha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. ## This page in other languages - [Georgian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ka/municipalitetebi/abasha-municipality) - [Russian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ru/municipalitety/abasha-municipality)