In the Soviet past, Gagra was one of the most popular resorts in Abkhazia, it was considered quite prestigious to rest here - every citizen of a large country secretly dreamed of getting a ticket to one of the local sanatoriums. The city began to be purposefully turned into a resort area with the active assistance of Prince A.P. Oldenburgsky, who did a lot for the improvement of the Black Sea coast.
Starting in the 1990s, Gagra gradually fell into decay due to wars, conflicts, lack of funding and general instability, although tourists, despite everything, continued to come to this wonderful city, albeit in much smaller numbers. Today Gagra is a legacy of a bygone era with a touch of nostalgia, quiet beaches, magnificent parks and picturesque natural attractions.
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What to see and where to go in Gagra?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Gagra colonnade
This is one of the most famous sights not only of the city, but of the whole of Abkhazia. It is located next to the Seaside Park. Tourists entering the country from Sochi first of all pay attention to this building, as it is clearly visible from the road. The colonnade was built in the 1950s. It is a structure of arched spans and porticoes surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
Seaside park
The park was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Throughout the century, it was a favorite place for visitors to the city - walking along the alleys, they breathed in the fresh scent of pine needles, mixed with the salty sea breeze, and admired the exotic plants brought here from different parts of the world. The park stretches for several kilometers along the coast, its area is more than 14 hectares. One of the most striking compositions is the sculpture-fountain "Sagittarius" located in the middle of the pond: the figure of a young man with a drawn bow, from where a stream of water escapes.
Beaches of Gagra
The beaches of Gagra stretch along the coast for several tens of kilometers. All bathing areas are open for free access, even those located in boarding houses. Conventionally, they are divided into the beaches of New and Old Gagra: the first has more developed infrastructure and more people, the second, located closer to the border, are perfect for tourists looking for a quiet rest. The entire coast is covered with small and large pebbles.
Gagra water park
Like any self-respecting seaside resort, Gagra has its own water park of pretty decent size. On the territory there are many attractions, slides of various difficulty levels, seven swimming pools, a food court area, where you can order Abkhaz cuisine in restaurants. In the summer season, the water park organizes nightly sessions with discos and an entertainment program that lasts until the morning.
Castle of the Prince of Oldenburg
The castle-residence of Prince A. Oldenburgsky - a relative of the emperor, a public figure who, during the time of Nicholas II, was engaged in the improvement of the Black Sea coast. The building was built in the Art Nouveau style in 1902, it is located in the bowels of the picturesque Primorsky Park. In Soviet times, the Chaika boarding house was located in the castle. After the collapse of the USSR, the building was plundered, and it fell into decay. All that a tourist can see today is the remnants of a former luxury.
Restaurant "Gagripsh"
"Gagripsh" has been hosting guests since the beginning of the 20th century. Immediately after the opening, the restaurant became a symbolic place of Gagra, it was visited by many famous personalities: Nicholas II, I. A. Bunin, F. I. Shalyapin, and later I. V. Stalin. We can say that it was from this institution that the history of the city as a popular resort began. "Gagripsh" is chic historical interiors, excellent cuisine, wide panoramic windows overlooking the Primorsky Park, and a special atmosphere.
Cinema "Gagra"
The cinema is located on Primorsky Boulevard. Films were not immediately shown here, at first the building served as a winter theater. The building was built in the classical style: the entrance portico is supported by a slender row of columns, the symmetrical facade is decorated with laconic decor. At the moment, the building is abandoned, but from the outside it looks quite picturesque and even well-groomed.
Railway station building
The passenger station, which in the past years was one of the most demanded in the country. The building was built in the middle of the 20th century, so everything that has survived, outside and inside, is the legacy of the USSR. The building is an example of the Soviet classical style: a monumental facade, columns, painted ceilings, massive chandeliers and arched enfilades. Today the once majestic structure is abandoned.
Abaata fortress
The structure of the Early Middle Ages, presumably built in the 5th-6th centuries. At different times, the bastion belonged to the Byzantines, Genoese, Russians - each owner made his own changes in its architectural appearance. In the XX century, a hotel was built on the territory of the fortress. The remains of the fortress walls, the church of St. Hypatia Gagra, where the museum operates, and a hotel with a restaurant.
Abaat Church
Church of St. Hypatia Gagra is a functioning church run by the Abkhaz Orthodox Church. The building was erected in the 6th century (according to another version, in the 10th century). It is an example of Byzantine architecture, or rather, its Caucasian interpretation, and has great cultural value. The structure has powerful walls made of rough hewn stone, narrow windows and a gable roof topped with a stone cross.
Tsandripsh Basilica
The basilica building was built in the 6th century. It existed until the 16th century, after which it was partially destroyed by the Turks. It was never rebuilt again. At the beginning of the 20th century, they tried to reconstruct the temple, but the plans remained on paper. During the Soviet era, archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory several times. Only the ruins of the church have survived to this day. Sometimes services are held in the surviving walls of the basilica.
Reprua river
The Reprua can be considered the shortest river in the world, as its length is only 18 meters. It is a small section of a powerful underground stream that comes to the surface just before it flows into the Black Sea. According to experts, the water in Reprua has the highest purity characteristics, so it can be safely used for drinking. According to the Abkhaz legend, the river was formed from the tears of three sisters who mourned their deceased brother.
Zhoekvarskoe gorge
The gorge begins in the western part of the Gagra and stretches to the high-mountain source of the Zhoekvara River (translated from Abkhaz as “12 springs”). This picturesque place is a wonderful ecological trail for nature lovers, passing through boxwood, chestnut and yew groves and winding along a winding river bed. There are several boarding houses very close to the gorge, so tourists often come here for a walk.
Mount Mamdzishkha
The upland is located about 6 km from Gagra, it offers a stunning view of the Black Sea coast, the Colchis lowland and the surrounding settlements. There are observation platforms on the mountain, where an asphalt road leads. In Soviet times, it was planned to build a full-fledged sanatorium-resort complex and build ski slopes here, but they could not implement the plan.
Lake Ritsa
When you think about Abkhazia, Lake Ritsa immediately comes to mind - perhaps one of the most popular sights of the country, sharing glory with the New Athos Monastery and the cave of the same name. The reservoir is located in the mountains at an altitude of about 1 km above sea level; a picturesque winding road leads to it, laid among the green slopes of the mountains. The lake looks especially impressive in autumn and winter, when the water acquires a pure blue hue.
