Gudauta Municipality
Gudauta in Abkhazia: Anakopia fortress, New Athos monastery and cave, Lake Ritsa and the medieval church of Lykhny. History.
Gudauta Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Gudauta Municipality lies in the north-western part of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, between the Black Sea coast and the high mountains of the Bzyb Range, with the town of Gudauta as its centre. The municipality covers about 1,640 km² and includes the coastal area of Akhali Atoni (New Athos) and, in the mountains, the famous Lake Ritsa (about 950 m, up to 116 m deep), protected since 1930. Under Georgian law, the territory has been occupied since the war of 1992–1993 and is not under the control of the Georgian government.
Above New Athos rises the Anakopia fortress on Mount Iverian. Its earliest military works date to the late antique period, and its citadel to the end of the 7th century; in 736–737 it withstood an Arab siege, and it later served as an early capital of the Kingdom of Abkhazia (Egrisi-Abkhazia) before the capital moved to Kutaisi. Nearby stands the church of St Simon the Canaanite (9th–10th centuries). In the 13th–15th centuries a Genoese trading post operated on the coast near Gudauta.
In 1875 monks from the St Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos founded the New Athos Monastery, completed by 1900, whose large cathedral dominates the coastal hills. Inside Mount Iverian lies the vast New Athos Cave, explored in 1961 and opened to visitors in 1975, served by an underground railway.
The village of Lykhny preserves the medieval Church of the Virgin (10th–11th centuries) with frescoes, and the ruins of the palace of the Abkhazian princes. Since the war of 1992–1993 the area has been occupied, and a Russian military base operates at Gudauta; the international community, including the EU and the UN General Assembly, supports Georgia’s territorial integrity.
Visiting information: under the Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories, entry into Abkhazia is permitted only from the direction of Zugdidi Municipality, and the crossing is currently restricted; many governments advise against travel to the region. This page presents the history and heritage of Gudauta for reference.
FAQ
1) Where is Gudauta Municipality located?
In the north-west of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, between the Black Sea and the Bzyb Range.
2) What is the status of the territory?
Under Georgian law it is occupied territory, not controlled by the Georgian government since 1992–1993.
3) What is Anakopia?
A fortress above New Athos, with a citadel of the end of the 7th century, which withstood an Arab siege in 736–737.
4) When was New Athos Monastery founded?
In 1875, by monks from the St Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos.
5) When was New Athos Cave discovered?
It was explored in 1961 and opened to visitors in 1975.
6) Where is Lake Ritsa?
In the mountains of Gudauta Municipality, at about 950 m.
7) How deep is Lake Ritsa?
Up to about 116 m.
8) What is in Lykhny?
The medieval Church of the Virgin (10th–11th centuries) and the ruins of a princes’ palace.
9) Can Gudauta be visited?
Entry is permitted only from the Zugdidi direction and is currently restricted; many governments advise against travel.
10) Where can I find official information?
On the website of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.