Azhara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality
Upper Abkhazia (Azhara): the upper Kodori gorge, Chkhalta and the Svan villages of the Caucasus — history of a mountain land.
Azhara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
The Azhara Municipality, known since 2006 as Upper Abkhazia, is a de jure municipality of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, covering the upper Kodori gorge in the high Caucasus. The valley lies at about 1,300 m and rises to peaks of almost 4,000 m, including the Chkhalta ridge and the approaches to the Marukhi pass. The Kodori River, formed by the Sakeni and Gvandra, flows from here towards the Black Sea. Under Georgian law, the territory is occupied and is not under the control of the Georgian government.
The upper Kodori was traditionally inhabited by Svans, and its mountain villages — such as Azhara, Chkhalta and Sakeni — kept close ties with neighbouring Svaneti. In 2002 about 2,000 people lived in the gorge, the vast majority of them Georgians (Svans). After the war of 1992–1993, the upper Kodori was the only part of Abkhazia that remained under Georgian control.
In July 2006 a Georgian police operation restored central government control over the gorge, and on 27 September 2006 the area was renamed Upper Abkhazia. The legitimate Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia was based in Chkhalta from 2006 to 2008.
During the August 2008 war, on 9–12 August, Abkhaz and Russian forces took the upper Kodori gorge, and about 2,000 residents fled; only a small number later returned. Since then the territory has been occupied, and the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia works from Tbilisi. The international community, including the EU and the UN General Assembly, supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and the right of displaced persons to return.
Visiting information: the upper Kodori gorge is currently inaccessible from Georgian-controlled territory, and many governments advise against travel to the region. This page presents the history of Upper Abkhazia for reference; the neighbouring high mountains of Svaneti (Mestia Municipality) offer similar landscapes and are open to visitors.
FAQ
1) Where is Upper Abkhazia located?
In the upper Kodori gorge of the Greater Caucasus, in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia.
2) What is the status of the territory?
Under Georgian law it is occupied territory, not controlled by the Georgian government since August 2008.
3) Why is it called Azhara?
Azhara is the historical name of the de jure municipality; it was renamed Upper Abkhazia on 27 September 2006.
4) Who traditionally lived in the upper Kodori?
Mainly Svans; in 2002 about 2,000 people lived in the gorge.
5) What happened in 2006?
A Georgian operation restored government control, and Chkhalta became the seat of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
6) What happened in 2008?
On 9–12 August 2008 Abkhaz and Russian forces took the gorge, and about 2,000 residents fled.
7) What is Chkhalta?
A village in the upper Kodori that served as the seat of the Abkhazian government in 2006–2008.
8) Which river flows through the gorge?
The Kodori, formed by the Sakeni and Gvandra rivers.
9) Can Upper Abkhazia be visited?
It is currently inaccessible from Georgian-controlled territory; many governments advise against travel.
10) Where can I find official information?
On the website of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.