Gulrifshi Municipality
Gulrifshi in Abkhazia: Black Sea coast south of Sokhumi, Dranda Cathedral, early-20th-century sanatoria and the Kodori valley.
Gulrifshi Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Gulrifshi Municipality lies in the central part of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, on the Black Sea coast south-east of Sokhumi, with the town of Gulrifshi as its centre, about 13 km from Sokhumi at roughly 20 m above sea level. The municipality stretches from the coastal lowland inland along the Kodori River towards the mountains, and it includes Sokhumi’s Dranda airport. Under Georgian law, the territory has been occupied since the war of 1992–1993 and is not under the control of the Georgian government.
The most important historic monument of the area is Dranda Cathedral, a cross-domed church whose construction tradition links to a temple built under Emperor Justinian in the 6th century; its exact dating remains debated among scholars, but it is regarded as one of the major early medieval churches of the Black Sea coast. The Kodori valley, which crosses the municipality, has long connected the coast with the high mountains of the Caucasus.
In the early 20th century the mild coastal climate attracted health resorts: between 1902 and 1913 the philanthropist Nikolai Smetskoy built sanatoria here for patients with lung diseases, laying the foundations of Gulrifshi as a resort settlement. In the Soviet period the settlement, earlier called Kvemo Gulrifshi, took its present name (1975).
The war of 1992–1993 brought heavy fighting and the displacement of most of the ethnic Georgian population of the area. Since then the territory has been occupied; 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: 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 Gulrifshi for reference.
FAQ
1) Where is Gulrifshi Municipality located?
In central Abkhazia, Georgia, on the Black Sea coast south-east of Sokhumi.
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 the centre?
The town of Gulrifshi, about 13 km from Sokhumi.
4) What is Dranda Cathedral?
A cross-domed early medieval church traditionally linked to a 6th-century temple of Emperor Justinian.
5) Which river crosses the municipality?
The Kodori River.
6) Why did Gulrifshi become a resort?
Sanatoria for lung patients were built there in 1902–1913.
7) What was Gulrifshi called before?
Kvemo Gulrifshi; the present name dates from 1975.
8) Is Sokhumi airport in the municipality?
Yes, the Dranda airport of Sokhumi lies within it.
9) Can Gulrifshi 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.