On the southeast coast of the Black Sea there is a small but very picturesque country of Abkhazia. The first city that tourists meet in the north of the region is Gagra. These peculiar "gates" to the country of the sun and sea breeze can surprise with a variety of incredibly beautiful places. Sights of Gagra (Abkhazia) attract many tourists to the resort every year.
Seaside park
A wonderful seaside park was built in the city in 1902-1905 according to the project of architect Shervinsky. It contains rare varieties of exotic plants, so it feels like you are in a garden of paradise: date and coconut palms, magnolias, Syrian mallow, cedars and many others. In total, the park has about 1000 plants.
The charming tropical garden, of course, is not all that this resort is attractive for. Abkhazia reveals the sights of Gagra at every step - it will be more interesting further!
Abaat Fortress
In the 4th – 5th centuries, on the territory of modern Gagra, at the mouth of the river Joekvara, the Romans built a rectangular castle-castle. In the XI century, the walls of the fortress were almost completely dismantled. For its restoration and some reorganization in 1830, the Russian military detachment set about. Even today, you can clearly see the gun and gun loopholes, powerful bastions.
Perhaps the sights of Gagra, Abkhazia can exhibit in contrast to the glory of such popular countries as Turkey and Egypt.
Gagra Temple
Of particular interest is another place that is located in the center of the fortress - Gagrinsky temple. The architecture of the temple is somewhat different from the characteristic features of the early medieval style of Abkhazia. Outside, the building looks quite simple. Inside the wall of slabs with an almost untreated surface, they produce some harsh, even wild, impression. Now in the walls of the temple there is a museum of weapons.
Khashup fortress
Do you think Abkhazia has exhausted the sights of Gagra on this? No matter how! If we are talking about ancient buildings, we advise you to visit another place - Khashup fortress. A mountain rises in the colorful gorge of the Khashups River, at the very top of which the ruins of a large fortress of the medieval period of Abkhazia have been preserved. Its territory is divided into two tiers. From the fortress you can admire the bewitching panorama of the Gagra Range with flood meadows and fir forests.
Mount Mamzyshha
The majestic Mount Mamzyshha rises above the city by 1876 meters. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Alpine road winding with a serpentine paved to the top of the mountain. There are two platforms on this road from where you can admire a fantastically beautiful view. At the top of Mamzyshha you can simultaneously see the sea, mountain ranges, Pitsunda, and if you contemplate the panorama from the top at night, you can see the lights of distant Sochi in the distance.
Near Mamzyshkhi there is another no less interesting peak - Arabica, which is famous for a large number of caves. In the bowels of this particular mountain is the deepest karst cave on the planet - the famous Krubera Cave.
Gegsky waterfall
But even this amazing places did not end there, because on the entire Black Sea coast it is difficult to find a better resort than Abkhazia - Gagra. Attractions can be seen in the vicinity of the city. Visit the delightful Gegsky Falls, which is located on the northern spurs of the Gagra Range. By the way, it was near this waterfall that a fight was shot between the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and the evil professor Moriarty.
Despite its unique climate and many beautiful places, tourists, unfortunately, are not in a hurry to see what constitutes Abkhazia (Gagra). Rest here is filled with peace and unforgettable sensations. The situation is calm, the prices are quite affordable, and the sea is clean. Come, it will be fun!