Ochamchire Municipality
Ochamchire in Abkhazia: Mokvi and Bedia cathedrals of the 10th century, Ilori church and the Black Sea coast. History and heritage.
Ochamchire Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Ochamchire Municipality lies in the south-east of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, on the Black Sea coast, with the town of Ochamchire as its centre, at the mouth of the Ghalidzga River about 53 km south-east of Sokhumi. The municipality stretches from the coastal lowland to the foothills and mountains of the Caucasus. 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 coast has been settled since antiquity, and the ancient Greek colony of Gyenos is believed to have stood near present-day Ochamchire. In the Middle Ages this area was part of the Kingdom of Abkhazia and then of the united Georgian kingdom, and it preserves some of the most important churches of western Georgia.
Mokvi Cathedral, built in the third quarter of the 10th century under King Leon III, was the seat of a bishopric and a centre of learning, famous for the Mokvi Gospels. Bedia Cathedral, built by King Bagrat III, the first king of united Georgia, was consecrated in 999; Bagrat III was buried there. The Ilori Church of St George dates from the early 11th century; its renovation in 2010 by the de facto authorities was criticised by Georgia for damaging Georgian inscriptions and frescoes.
The war of 1992–1993 led to 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 Ochamchire for reference.
FAQ
1) Where is Ochamchire Municipality located?
In the south-east of Abkhazia, Georgia, on the Black Sea coast.
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 Ochamchire, at the mouth of the Ghalidzga, about 53 km south-east of Sokhumi.
4) What is Mokvi Cathedral?
A cathedral built in the third quarter of the 10th century under King Leon III.
5) What is Bedia Cathedral?
A cathedral built by King Bagrat III and consecrated in 999; Bagrat III was buried there.
6) What is the Ilori church?
An early 11th-century Church of St George.
7) Was there an ancient city here?
The ancient Greek colony of Gyenos is believed to have stood near Ochamchire.
8) What happened during the 1992–1993 war?
Most of the ethnic Georgian population of the area was displaced.
9) Can Ochamchire 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.