Most recently, on this blog, I discussed whether it is safe to go on vacation to Abkhazia this summer. And some of you asked me (and not on the blog, but on social networks, although I don’t answer anyone’s questions about topics on the blog): here you, Katya, write - it’s safe there, but you yourself would go there, and even with children ?
To be honest, I don’t like it when they try to “take me weakly.” But then the incredible heat that came to Sochi had its say. One day we escaped from her on the beach in Imereti Bay. Why I choose this beach for swimming, read here: One day in search of the perfect beach.
But, may my readers forgive me, I don’t even want to go there now - in recent days there has simply been no place for an apple to fall on this beach! And by the way, I was once again convinced: a “seal” holiday is not my thing at all! Even a perfectly clear sea, as it was at the time of our swim in Imeretinka, will not make me spend another day like this...
Therefore, the decision was made quickly: we are going to Abkhazia!
general information
Abkhazia occupies an area of slightly less than nine thousand square kilometers. The country is located in a most picturesque place - it is surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains and the beautiful Black Sea coast. The republic is washed on both sides by the Psou and Ingur rivers. The country has common borders with Russia and Georgia.
The population of the country is not very large - approximately 243 thousand people live permanently on the territory of Abkhazia. Abkhazia is considered a multinational republic - on the streets you can meet not only Abkhazians, but also Georgians, Russians, Armenians, Ukrainians, Jews, Estonians and representatives of other nationalities.
Despite this fact, the local people of Abkhazia are known for their hospitality and friendliness. They will always help tourists with advice, tell interesting facts about the life and traditions of the country, and some will even feed them masterpieces of local cuisine.
Great Abkhaz Wall
When it comes to vacationing in Abkhazia with children, where to go and what to see are the main questions. The whole family will be interested in seeing one of the oldest historical monuments. The Kelasuri Wall, or Great Abkhazian Wall, is a stone structure located east of Sukhum in Abkhazia. The time of its construction is not known for certain.
Presumably, scientists have named several dates from antiquity to the seventeenth century, although later research has tentatively determined this date as the sixth century AD. There were about 300 towers along the wall, most of which are now completely or largely destroyed.
The wall begins at the mouth of the Kelasuri River, where the ruins of a large tower have been preserved. It goes east, crossing the Kodori River near Tsebelda, then passes near Tkvarcheli and ends near the village of Lekukhona on the right bank of the Enguri. Most of the fortifications are located in the western part of the wall between the Kelasuri and Mokva rivers. The left bank of Kelasuri and the mountain passes were the most heavily fortified. On the other hand, only four towers were found between Tkvarcheli and Enguri
The wall was not continuous, as its builders used natural obstacles such as steep slopes and gorges. 279 towers adjacent to the wall have been identified, and about a hundred of them survive. The standard distance between towers is 40-120 m, where there was no solid wall, some of them were located at a distance of 300, 500 and 1000 m.
All towers are rectangular in shape (7 by 8 or 8 by 9 meters), 4-6 m high and have shallow foundations. Each had a door in the south wall framed by massive stone beams, and sometimes a narrow staircase was also added. Embrasses were usually located in the northern and western walls of the towers on the second level. Sukhum with its remarkable ancient wall is one of the best options for relaxing in Abkhazia with children in the spring, when the sea is not yet warm enough for swimming.
Weather
The climate in Abkhazia is very mild and perfect for families with children. In summer it is very warm, during the day the thermometer rises to +33°, at night the temperature will be at +18° – +20°. The strong wind subsides in July - August and will not cause problems for vacationers. There are few rainy and cloudy days.
Snowy peaks
It is warmest in resort towns such as Gagra or Sukhum. Those who like cooler temperatures should choose Tsandripsh or Bagripsh for their vacation. A compromise between heat and coolness will be Gudauta, New Athos or Ochamchira.
Every tourist will be able to find a city in Abkhazia with an ideal climate for themselves and their child in order to get only the best impressions, wonderful emotions and improved health from their vacation.
When is the best time to go on vacation to Abkhazia?
The climatic features of Abkhazia allow it to be classified as a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, hot summers and year-round very high humidity. The republic has all the advantages that attract tourists so much. There is everything here - mountains, mountain lakes, sea, subtropical nature with luxurious magnolias, oleanders, palm trees, tangerines and grapes. Already in May, many who want to breathe in the sea and clean mountain air arrive here with tourist groups and individually. Meanwhile, the high tourist season in Abkhazia begins in June. The June sea will still be cool, with temperatures around 21 degrees Celsius. The sun's rays are not aggressive, the air temperature reaches 27 degrees during the day, and 21–23 degrees at night. July warms up both the water and the air: the sea becomes, on average, two degrees warmer than in June - 23 degrees, and the air - 30 degrees. Weather conditions are greatly softened by sea breezes, bringing coolness from the water surface. In August, you need to be prepared for fairly high air temperatures: during the day, even in the shade, it warms up to 34 degrees. The August Sea is called “fresh milk”, it is so warm.
After the summer heat comes the blessed autumn time, popularly called the “velvet season”: a well-warmed sea at a comfortable air temperature. The average September sea temperature in Abkhazia is approximately 23 degrees, and the air temperature is 24 degrees. These four months - from June to September - are the most popular period for tourism. For parents of preschool children, we can recommend a holiday from mid-August to mid-September. Well, those who are “burdened” with school everyday life should consider any of the summer months - June, July or August.
Federal News Agency /
The main resorts of the country
Abkhazia is rich in beautiful, cozy and interesting cities. However, there are resorts that have been recognized for a long time and do not lose their prestige:
Sukhum
Sukhum is the most famous city of Abkhazia, its capital. This city offers many interesting places to visit, cultural heritage and nature reserves. The Sukhum embankment is known to tourists from many countries; it is ideal for family walks and dinners in coastal cafes.
data-matched-content-ui-type=”image_card_stacked”
It is interesting to wander around the capital on your own; it is also possible to book excursion tours with a guide who will tell you about the history of the capital and the country, local traditions and important places of Abkhazia.
City view
Gagra
The warm weather of the resort town is ideal for a vacation with a child. In addition, the city has a lot of exotic plantings that will delight children with their views and parents with fresh, healthy air.
The old district of Gagra is famous for its many attractions and cultural monuments. New Gagra is more suitable for beach holidays and entertainment. There are all conditions for this - beaches equipped with sun loungers and water activities.
Not far from Gagra there is the only water park in the country, which will leave a lot of impressions on children.
Unusual architecture
Pitsunda
The city of Pitsunda is one of the most famous resorts in Abkhazia. A holiday with children in this city will be ideal and will be remembered for a long time. Pitsunda has the atmosphere of a quiet coastal town, and the beaches of this resort are famous for their cleanliness and convenience.
On the beaches and promenade there are many sea activities suitable for both children and adults. The Pitsunda Sea pleases with warm temperatures and impeccable transparency
Coast of Pitsunda
New Athos
Known for its historical and cultural attractions, New Athos will also delight tourists with its natural assets, especially the cypress embankment, walking along which is not only interesting, but also good for health.
By choosing New Athos for vacation, tourists have the opportunity to learn a lot of educational information about the religion, history and culture of the city and Abkhazia.
Temple among the trees
Gudauta
Gudauta is a quiet resort town, surrounded by greenery. The city is located in a small bay and has both pebble and sandy beaches.
Tourism in Gudauta is just developing, so there are few people here even at the height of the season, which is a definite plus. Due to the same circumstance, there is still little entertainment in the city - standard water activities and attractions in the resort's Central Park.
There are many interesting attractions and nature reserves in Gudauta and its surroundings.
Gudauta Center
Tsandripsh
Tsandripsh is a small developing town almost on the border with the Russian Federation. There are also few tourists here, which will make your holiday calm and hassle-free.
You can entertain children and the whole family with horseback riding through the picturesque surroundings and standard water attractions. On the territory of this small town you can see white cliffs - these are not found anywhere else on the Black Sea.
Tsandripsh, beach
All inclusive in Abkhazia
Travelers who are counting on an “Abkhazia all-inclusive” tour with children should be prepared for some nuances. This season, full board with three meals a day will be available only in a limited number of hotels in Abkhazia, since this form of recreation is not popular here. Resort areas abound in small cafes with national cuisine, so hoteliers are reluctant to include “all” in the service program in their hotels. Those few hotels that are ready to accept guests on an all-inclusive basis may have a very modest star rating. By European standards, this can be 3 or 4 stars, or in some cases no stars at all. To search for all inclusive, it is better to consider Sukhum, Gagra and Pitsunda.
pixabay.com / Artur Zakirov
Best places
Abkhazia offers a wide choice of places where you can stay and have a great holiday. Boarding houses and sanatoriums will help not only to relax, but also to improve the health of the whole family. Let's look at the best housing options in the country:
- Wellness Park Hotel Gagra is one of the best hotels in the country. Has 4 stars, equipped in accordance with all modern standards. The hotel has recently been reconstructed - previously there was a boarding house. A big plus is that the hotel management makes contact with clients and in many cases will help solve problems that arise. The hotel security is not satisfactory - you can enter the territory only with cards that are issued upon check-in, in addition, guests will not be charged additional money for parking. You can not only live in the hotel - there is a park, a children's playground, a heated swimming pool and many other areas where you can have fun and relax.
- Grand Hotel Gagra will be an ideal place for those for whom the only important thing in a hotel is a place to spend the night. The hotel is new and there are no special entertainments on its territory yet. On the 7th floor there is an excellent restaurant where you can feed a child, although the hotel does not yet offer an appropriate menu. The hotel has its own beach, however, tourists are advised to visit Mojito Beach, which is located nearby and is well equipped with everything you need.
Grand Hotel Gagra - The Sosnovaya Roshcha Hotel in Pitsunda will delight a family with children with privacy and tranquility. Here you can stay not only in rooms, but also in separate cottages, which is ideal for a family. On the territory of the hotel there is a palm alley and a tangerine garden, and children's animators are constantly working. In addition, the hotel offers a children's playground, an excellent swimming pool, a massage room, a gym, a bathhouse, billiards and its own excursion tours.
- Villa Owl in New Athos is located right on the sea coast and surrounded by the main attractions of the resort. The chefs offer masterpieces of local cuisine, which even the hotel owner and his family don’t shy away from trying. At the same time, the management takes into account the needs of children and there are always healthy dishes on the menu. Wi-Fi of excellent quality is always available on the hotel premises, however, the hotel does not provide its own entertainment. The hotel's beach is pebbly and equipped with all amenities.
- Griffin is a very atmospheric hotel, built entirely of wood. Located on the banks of an incredibly beautiful river. The road to the beach is a beautiful cypress alley and takes literally a few minutes. The hotel staff is ready to answer all questions from guests and provide additional services. The hotel has a sandbox for children and sun loungers where parents can relax. The hotel's restaurant menu offers both local dishes and European dishes. Feeding a child will not be difficult.
Hotel - Inter-Sukhum is a classic metropolitan hotel. It has an excellent entertainment program - you can do yoga and fitness. For children, they offer a dance studio and a development center, where children engage in creativity, logical tasks, and sports. Residents here will be served a standard breakfast for free. The hotel beach is clean, but you will have to pay extra for sun loungers.
- Park Hotel Tsar Bagrat Mountain is a very cozy place, surrounded by greenery. The cuisine at the hotel is mainly Russian; only occasionally the chefs delight visitors with masterpieces of local cuisine. There is a lot of entertainment for children - sports activities, educational lessons with teachers and mini-discos. Adults will be entertained by aqua aerobics and relaxing in a cool park. A hotel bus takes guests to the beach in the morning.
- Guest house Zhemchuzhina in Gudauta is considered one of the best places to stay with children. There are 20 rooms in total, each comfortably equipped with everything you need. The price of your stay includes a delicious breakfast and dinner served by the hosts; you can additionally order lunch. Separate meals can be prepared for children. Not far from the hotel there is a city beach, uncrowded, pleasing with its cleanliness and silence.
- Hotel La Terrace will remind you of a French chalet and will evoke admiration for its comfort and beauty. The hotel has many video cameras and 24-hour security. Each floor is framed by cozy terraces where you can cool off and relax. The hotel also has a cafe with local and European cuisine; there is also delicious food for children. The beach is located within walking distance and is equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas and good cafes. The hotel's tour desk is an excellent advantage, although the hotel does not offer other entertainment. Hotel representatives can also meet tourists at the airport or train station.
- The budget hotel San Siro is suitable for those who come for excursions and active recreation. There is no on-site entertainment or restaurant on site, however, you can eat in the nearest dining room. The rooms are well equipped with everything you need. The road to the beach lies through a beautiful park and does not take much time.
Budget Hotel San Siro
In addition, in Abkhazia there are many sanatoriums and boarding houses with good quality of service, an excellent entertainment program and a high-quality range of health services. For example, the boarding house "Literary Fund" in Pitsunda, "Waterfall" in New Athos, "Côte d'Azur" in Gagra, "Kyalasur" in Sukhumi, and many others.
For those who love solitude, Abkhazians offer rentals of houses or rooms where you can live and cook yourself or ask the hosts to cook something from the local cuisine. Guest houses filled with local atmosphere or similar to small European hotels are also very common now. Finding a convenient place is easy on the Internet.
The choice of places to live in the republic is very large - everyone can find an option that meets their requirements and financial capabilities.
Mini-hotel "Carnival"
Stunning cozy hotel in the village of Gyachrypshch. It's very close to the border. Adler is only 11 km from here.
The hotel is located right on the coastline. This is a fairytale. Here you will wake up and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
The area is very green, planted with fruit trees. Nearby are grocery stores, fruit and vegetable stalls and cafes. All barbecue facilities are available. You can barbecue almost on the seashore.
Clean, spacious, uncrowded beach. On the shore there are children's slides, banana rides and other sea activities.
The rooms have air conditioning and heated floors. There is free parking.
Price: from 4500 rub. (for two plus a child).
Sights and interesting excursions for children
Abkhazia is very rich in historical monuments, natural reserves, cultural and religious heritage. There are also many places in the country that will delight children and not let them get bored. It is unlikely that you will be able to see them all in one vacation, but you can visit the main ones:
- A nursery with monkeys in Sukhum will bring a lot of pleasure to kids and will touch parents. On the territory of the scientific reserve there are more than three thousand species of monkeys, each of which can be fed with special food sold at the entrance to the nursery.
Nursery with monkeys in Sukhumi - Botanical Park - located near the monkey nursery and will surprise every member of the family. Here you can find more than five thousand species of various plants, many of them exotic.
- Lake Ritsa is one of the main attractions of Abkhazia, a must-see place. On the way to the lake you can admire the Caucasus Mountains, small rivers and the most beautiful nature of Abkhazia. The guide will tell you several interesting legends and myths associated with Lake Ritsa, which will certainly interest the little tourist.
- The largest cave in Abkhazia, New Athos, consists of 11 halls, almost all of which are open to tourists. Also on the territory of the cave there are two beautiful lakes that will delight you with their mystery. Children will definitely be imbued with the mystical atmosphere and will remember this excursion for a long time.
- Alpine meadows in the Caucasus Mountains are a picturesque place for quiet relaxation and admiring nature. The road to them is quite long, however, children will enjoy the journey over bumps and mountain slopes, and the view of the meadows will evoke the most vivid emotions among tourists of all ages.
Alpine meadows
With an inquisitive older child, you can visit the historical and cultural places of Abkhazia - the Sukhumi fortress, the Annunciation Cathedral, the ancient city of Pitiunt, the Gagra and Ilor fortresses. You can also visit the local history museum in Sukhumi, where guides will introduce you to the traditions and history of the republic.
There are a lot of places in Abkhazia that will be interesting to children of different ages and will not cause boredom or tears. Beautiful views, mysterious legends, exotic plants and animals - every child will be delighted with such a pastime.
How to get there?
Entry into Abkhazia does not cause any difficulties for Russians. You need to get to Adler (by any means of transport: plane, train, car), and from there to the Abkhaz border (10 kilometers). Minibuses run constantly from the station in Adler to the Psou checkpoint. After crossing the border on the Abkhaz side, tourists are also met by Abkhaz minibuses and taxis.
Cheap flights to Adler
| Where | departure date | Find tickets |
| Belgorod | March 23, 2022 | Find from 1,157 |
| Kaluga | December 22, 2021 | Find from 1 180 |
| Pskov | December 18, 2021 | Find from 1,188 |
| Makhachkala | February 14, 2022 | Find from 1,380 |
| Rostov-on-Don | January 30, 2022 | Find from 1,385 |
| Moscow | January 9, 2022 | Find from 1,429 |
| Yaroslavl | December 22, 2021 | Find from 1,488 |
| Saratov | January 6, 2022 | Find from 1,659 |
| Volgograd | February 11, 2022 | Find from 1,685 |
| Elista | March 3, 2022 | Find from 1,725 |
| Mineral water | January 16, 2022 | Find from 1,780 |
| Astrakhan | July 1, 2022 | Find from 1,885 |
| Petrozavodsk | April 4, 2022 | Find from 1,888 |
| Ufa | March 13, 2022 | Find from 1,920 |
| Saint Petersburg | December 22, 2021 | Find from 2,068 |
The border post operates 24 hours a day. But you need to be prepared for the fact that border formalities during the peak season can take a long time (partly due to the lack of efficiency of the special services). Passengers arriving in their own cars and those taking a transfer from a boarding house or hotel cross the border via a road bridge.
Independent tourists without personal vehicles and without a transfer will be less lucky. They will have to cross the border on their own along a two-kilometer pedestrian bridge.
Important nuances for crossing the border with children
A trip to Abkhazia will not cause any special problems. Adults do not need a foreign passport, only an internal one. For children, you need to take a birth certificate and, if the trip is not made by the whole family, then a power of attorney from the second parent, or from both if the child is traveling with a grandmother, aunt or other relatives. It is also worth taking a compulsory medical insurance policy - it is valid on the territory of Abkhazia.
It is advisable to make copies of all documents, as anything can happen on the road.
Abaat Church
Reviews of Abkhazia with children would be incomplete without a description of the sights of the city of Gagra. The main one is the Gagra Church, also known as Abaata, which is an early medieval Christian temple in the republic. Being one of the oldest churches in Abkhazia, it is a simple three-nave basilica built in the 6th century and reconstructed in 1902.
The Gagra Church stands on the site of a modern fortress known as Abaata, which now lies completely in ruins. It is built from rough stone blocks from the ashram. The main entrance is located on the west side. All three hubs are connected to each other through doors. The main nave is lit by three windows in the south wall and intersects with one window on the west wall and the chancel. The church shares many architectural features with similar basilicas in eastern Georgia. The temple was completely reconstructed in 1902 by order of Princess Eugenia Maximilianovna of Leuchtenberg, wife of Duke Alexander Petrovich of Oldenburg, a member of the Russian imperial family, who turned Gagra into a resort.
On January 9, 1903, the building was consecrated as the Church of St. Hypatius. At the same time, the old fortress of Abaat was destroyed in order to pave the way for the construction of the hotel. During Soviet times, the church building was used as a museum of old weapons. The temple underwent some renovation in 2007 and was restored for Christian worship in 2012. The Gagra Church is included in the list of monuments of national importance in Georgia.
Tips for organizing a holiday
Each country has its own nuances, and you need to organize your vacation taking into account all the details and characteristics of the country:
- A loss of water and electricity can become an obstacle to a relaxing holiday. However, utility services deal with this problem quite quickly, and not everyone is inconvenienced by them.
- Medicine in Abkhazia is not bad, and there are medical institutions, but if you plan to vacation in remote villages of the country, it is better to pack a good first aid kit.
- In some areas of the country, cases of theft have become more frequent, so it is worth taking better care of things and documents.
- Intestinal infection in the country is as common as in many other cities on the Black Sea coast. You should be careful and if symptoms appear, contact your local hospital immediately.
- Traveling with infants should be planned especially carefully, as severe climate change can cause serious stress for infants’ bodies.
Otherwise, a holiday in Abkhazia will not cause any problems. Almost all locals speak Russian and will be able to help tourists. Also, the Russian ruble is used here, so you don’t even have to change the currency.
Queen Tamara Bridge
Where is the best place to relax with children in Abkhazia? Of course, those where you can visit interesting sights. The Besleti Bridge, also known as Queen Tamara's Bridge, is a medieval arched stone bridge in Sukhum. Located about 6 km from the city center, it stretches across the small mountain river Besletka. The date of its construction is determined towards the end of the 12th century. This single-arch bridge is one of the most striking examples of medieval construction, popular during the reign of Tamara in Georgia (1184-1213).
According to ancient sources, it was at this time that the construction of the famous Besl Bridge was carried out. A modern inscription in the early Georgian alphabet reads: "Christ the Lord, glorify in every possible way in both lives." An engraved cross and a Greek Τ have been preserved at the bottom of the left bridge pillar since ancient times. At the head of the structure there was previously a stone stele with Georgian inscriptions, but in the 90s it was destroyed during the war in Abkhazia. In the vicinity of the bridge there are ruins of medieval battle towers, indicating the strategic importance of the area. The Besleti Bridge received the status of a monument of national importance.
Reviews from vacationing parents
Many families have become interested in such a beautiful country and have already spent one or more holidays there. People note excellent air, good for children. The country also has a lot of interesting things for all family members - attractions, entertainment, local cuisine.
Large hotels celebrate excellent service and amenities. Among the disadvantages are intestinal infection and the lack of large stores and quality infrastructure in some cities. This is explained by the fact that Abkhazia has recently developed tourism and is at the beginning of its journey. In general, the reviews are quite positive; some families have been going on vacation to Abkhazia for several years now.
A vacation in Abkhazia is a great idea for families with small children. There are almost all conditions here, many interesting sights, nature delights, and local fruits will charge the body with vitamins for a long time. Little tourists will be happy with such a trip, and parents will have a wonderful break from the bustle of the city and stock up on positive emotions and wonderful emotions.
Gagra for active tourists
The Gagra resort is an ideal holiday destination for any age group and any type of activity. Young people here take advantage of the opportunity for evening and night entertainment. Families with children will be attracted by the large number of leisure activities in the city and on the beach. The older generation will appreciate the luxurious and shady parks of Gagra, where you can walk for hours.
In addition, this city has a lot of attractions that everyone should visit. Reviews of where to relax with a child in Abkhazia regarding Gagra are always excellent. There are not only beaches, but also various attractions. Thus, you can go here on an exciting excursion that will be extremely educational for your children.
Route
The line is a single track and electrified narrow gauge railway. It begins at the entrance to the caves, not far from the Psircha station of the Abkhazian railway. From the Entrance Gate station, it reaches two cave halls: Apsney Hall and Anacopa Hall. Apsny station is designed to guide tourists at the beginning of the cave tour, and Anakop returns them to the entrance gate at the end of the tour. The line has a depot directly in front of the entrance station and a service tunnel between it and Apsny.
Planning
When planning a trip, the first question is: how to get to your destination? There are no direct flights to the republic. But you can fly to Adler and from there get to Abkhazia by minibus or bus. There is a train from Adler to Gagra. It is easy to reach Sukhumi by rail. There are direct trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg; tourists from other regions will be forced to change trains in Moscow.
You can cross the border between Russia and Abkhazia by car. But it should be taken into account that you will have to stand in line at customs. From Sochi it is easy to get to Gagra by boat. It takes 1.5 hours. But you should know: if the sea is rough, the flight will be delayed indefinitely.
History of construction
Since the wall was first scientifically explored at the beginning of the 19th century, many hypotheses about who built it and when were published even then. For example, the Swiss traveler Frederic Dubois de Montreux claimed that it was built by the Greeks in the last centuries BC to protect their colony of Dioscurium (which he erroneously identified near Cape Codori).
According to researcher Mikhail Ivashchenko, the wall was built by the Byzantines in the 4th century to protect their possessions and control mountain passes. He associated the name of the Kelasuri River with the Byzantine Greek kleisura (territorial unit). Several other historians supported this date, although they could not agree on the length and actual location of the wall. This structure was first depicted on a 17th-century map at the headwaters of the Galidzhza, Okum and Eris-Tskari rivers (upper left corner).
The famous Abkhaz historian and archaeologist Yuri Voronov examined the wall in 1966-1971 and suggested a new date for its construction. According to him, Levan II Dadiani of Megrelia built it between 1628 and 1653 to protect his fiefdom from the Abkhazians (although at that time the Principality of Abkhazia was a nominal vassal of Megrelia). During these investigations, loopholes for firearms were found in the wall. In addition, the scientist also relied on the works of the Georgian historian Vakhushti and the Italian missionary Archangelo Lamberti, who wrote about the wall built by the Mingrelian princes to protect against the Abkhazians.
Origin of Ritsa
There is an ancient legend about the origin of this reservoir. In ancient times, on the site of the modern lake there was a valley and a river. There lived a girl named Ritsa with three brothers Edzhpsta, Atsetuka and Pshegishkha. Ritsa used this place as a pasture for her valley animals, and her brothers hunted in the high mountains during the day and returned to the valley in the evening, where they ate, sang songs and admired their sister.
One day the brothers went too far into the mountains. Ritsa decided to call them and sang loudly. The forest robbers Gega and Yupshara heard her and decided to kidnap her. Ritsa's brothers heard her cry and came to her aid. Pshegishkha threw his sword at the robbers, but he missed, and the sword flew over the river. The valley was filled with water and turned into a lake. Ritsa escaped from Yupshara’s hands, but fell into the lake. The brothers could not save her. Then Pshegishkha threw the robber Yupshara into the lake, but the water of Ritsa did not accept him and threw him over the sword, and the water carried him to the sea. Gega ran after Yupshara, but he could not save him. Out of grief, the brothers turned into mountains, and today they still stand here to protect Ritsa's resting place.
Lake Ritsa
Where to relax with children in Abkhazia? The reviews also touch upon Lake Ritsa in a positive way. This lake is in the Caucasus Mountains, in the northwestern part of Abkhazia, surrounded by mixed mountain forests and subalpine meadows. Its water is cold and clear. Mountains with altitudes ranging from 2200 to 3500 m surround the lake. The region around Lake Ritsa is part of the Euksin-Kolchich deciduous forest ecoregion, with a fairly high concentration of evergreen berry groves. Around the lake there are many Nordmann fir specimens that reach a height of more than 70 meters.
In 1930, the Ritsa Nature Reserve (162.89 km2) was created to protect the natural state of the lake and surrounding lands. The road from the Black Sea coast was built in 1936. The lake was an important landmark during the Soviet period. Russian tourists still often visit this place.
Lake Ritsa is one of the deepest lakes in Georgia (116 m), rich in trout. The average annual temperature in this area is 7.8 degrees Celsius (January - from -1.1 °C, August - 17.8 °C). The average annual precipitation is about 2000-2200 mm. Winters here are sometimes snowy, but summers are always warm here.
Lake Ritsa is filled from six rivers and shares water with the Iupshara River. Avadhara resort is located north of this lake. It is worth noting that even Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had one of his residences in this place. Today this building belongs to the Abkhaz government.
