Ни для кого не секрет, что Абхазия – это unique country. It is full of interesting places, friendly people and delicious fruits. For those who have already traveled all over the south of our country, the ideal option for rest is a trip to Abkhazia. Sights of such cities as Gagra, Sukhum, Pitsunda, New Athos, amaze tourists with their beauty, and therefore invariably attract tourists here. What to see in this country, what sights in any case can not be missed? About this and talk today!
Lake Ritsa
One of the most popular and picturesqueattractions of Abkhazia - is the mountain lake Ritsa. It attracts guests throughout the year. An interesting fact: depending on the time of year, the reservoir changes its color - in autumn and winter it is blue-blue, and in spring and summer the water turns yellow. The length of the lake is 2 kilometers, and the depth is about 150 meters. Vacationers say - the water here is so clear that the water can be viewed ten meters. The lake is located in the northwest of the country, on the territory of a magnificent national park. Formerly, Lake Ritz was the hallmark of Abkhazia. On the shores of it were cottages of Stalin and Brezhnev.
How to get to the lake
The most convenient way to get to thissights of Abkhazia in his car. You need to move along the main road of the country - the Black Sea highway. Then, at the bridge over the river called Bzyb, you should turn deep into the mainland. Travelers visiting these places note that the road here is not very good. Another option - a trip from Gagra on the tour bus. Along the way, the guide will tell about all the interesting places. By the way, you can come by taxi, although in this case you will have to fork out - the thing is that taxi drivers do not just bring people to the lake, but wait for them to take them back.
New Athos Cave
Among the sights of New Athos inAbkhazia is worth highlighting Novoafonskaya cave. This is one of the largest caves in the country! She gained wide popularity only recently - only half a century ago. Then an Abkhaz artist named Givi Smyr discovered a strange entrance on Iverskaya mountain. Together with a group of activists, Givi descended to a depth of 135 meters! They opened the Anakopiya hall, but later it became known that there are other halls in this cave! Since 1975, excursion trains run here.
Туристы называют Новоафонскую пещеру самым a true miracle of nature. She is able to delight even those whom it would seem, nothing to surprise. Extensive passages that branch out, sparsely illuminated underground halls, mysterious galleries lead visitors to the deepest depths of the Iverskaya mountain. The underground world of the cave is very rich - there are both stone ramparts, and delightful emerald lakes, and even stalactite palaces! A tour of the sights of Abkhazia begins with a short walk on a small electric train, which can accommodate 90 passengers. By the way, initially miners' trolleys were used for transportation of people, which for this purpose were converted. The length of the route is 1.3 km, it provides only three stations:
- "Anakopiya Hall";
- "Entrance gate";
- "Hall Apsny."
Route
In total in the Novoafonskaya cave there are 11 rooms that have already been explored. Tourists only have a fraction of it. Usually the traditional route to the sights of Abkhazia consists of viewing the following halls:
- Anakopia, where the magnificent cave falls.
- Mahadzhirov, which is the largest hall of the New Athos cave.
- Nartaa, which tourists call the most "live" room because of the three-beetles living here.
- Cavers, the highest in the cave - in some places the floor and ceiling divides the height of 50 meters.
- Hall named Giba Smyra, whose floor is covered with waves of frozen limestone. There is also a stone jellyfish.
- Ayuhaa, where are hundreds of stalagmites of calcite - red and orange.
- Upyarka, where vacationers can enjoy Abkhaz music.
- Apsny, different from other high humidity.
Helpful information
Please note - a visit to this naturalattractions are possible exclusively in the tour group. It usually takes about an hour and a half. Such excursions are held during the tourist season: they begin in May and end only in early November. When planning a trip here, do not forget to bring warm clothes with you, because the temperature in the halls of the cave does not rise above 14 degrees!
Novy Afon Monastery
Another attraction of Athos (Abkhazia) -New Athos monastery. It was built not far from the temple of Simon the Canaanite, where the holy relics are today, and from the cave, where he retreated to talk with God. The history of the monastery began in 1874. Then the monks of Panteleimon Monastery, which is located on the Greek Athos, received from the government the territory of modern New Athos. Another imperial gift was a large amount - for the construction of a new monastery complex. Why was this place chosen? According to the legend, here in the first century BC, Cananite, an apostle who preached Christianity in the territory of the Western Caucasus, died at the hands of Roman legionaries.
Construction went on long and hard - it was extremelyIt is difficult to ensure the delivery of building materials to a height of 75 meters above sea level. During the Russian-Turkish war, the monastery was plundered. In 1880, the restoration of the shrine began. But on this test, which fell to the lot of this sights of Abkhazia, did not end. Thus, during the USSR, the monastery was turned into a recreation center, and later became a museum of local lore. During the Georgian-Abkhaz war, the New Athos monastery became a military hospital. Only in 1994, services finally resumed here. Today the monastery is open to visitors.
It is important to know!
To get to this monastery, you mustdrive to the city of Adler, cross the border post "Psou". After passing through customs and passport control, we recommend that you take a regular bus, which in three hours will take you to the city of New Athos, where the monastery is located. Please note, women in the New Athos monastery are allowed exclusively in long-sex clothes and with their heads covered!
Waterfall "Men's Tears"
The history of the appearance of sights on the territory of Abkhazia (pictured), entitled “Men's Tears”, is shrouded in countless legends, the authenticity of which cannot be verified today.
Согласно самой популярной версии, в Абхазии жила lovely girl Amr. She was engaged in the fact that on the river bank shepherded goats. In her gentle voice, Amra sang songs that reached the ears of her beloved Adgur, who lived in the mountains. Unfortunately for this couple, a mermaid dwelled in the waters of the river, who envied the beautiful woman and her voice, and therefore planned to kill her. Once, while Amra was shepherding goats, the mermaid wanted to push her into the water, but the Water God saved the girl and turned the mermaid into stone. At this time, Adgur's heart felt wrong, but he could not help it. From the powerlessness of the young man wept, his tears fell to the ground, in the place where they fell, a waterfall appeared.
How to get to the waterfall
"Men's tears" are at Ritsinskoe highwaythe waterfall is well visible. In addition, it is part of various excursions from Gagra, Sukhum or resort cities of Kuban. You can get here on your own car, however, you must take into account that the mountain road is winding and steep. And because during the trip you need to be as attentive as possible and pay attention to the weather forecast.
"Girl's Tears"
Twenty kilometers from the waterfall "Men's Tears"there is a waterfall called "Girl's Tears". The legend of its origin is suspiciously similar to the story of "Men's Tears": a beautiful girl born in a family of shepherds, once lived in this place. Once, while the girl was shepherding the goats, she was seen by a mountain spirit. Immediately, feelings broke out between them. But they were envied by an evil and incredibly jealous sorceress who lived nearby. She decided to kill a beautiful girl: tracked her down, raised her over the rocks to throw her down. No matter how the girlfriend of her lover called, the spirit did not hear her, because he was too far away. Then the beauty began to sob and before her death she cried all her tears so that they would run down the rocks for thousands of years and would not give rest to the witch’s evil and envious heart.
How to get to the sights
This waterfall on the highway can be seen from afar:On the plants located around him, tourists constantly tie colored ribbons. It is believed that this helps to find love and preserve it for many years. By the way, a similar tradition is observed at the first waterfall.
From Gagra, this landmark of Abkhazia (onphoto above) separates 40 kilometers. Most holidaymakers visit the “Maiden's Tears” during a trip to Lake Ritsa. The public transport route does not pass here, but you can always find suitable excursions or take a taxi here. In addition, you can get to the waterfall by car.
Colonnade
The construction of this sights of Abkhazia(pictured) in Gagra began in the difficult post-war years. There were not enough resources, and there were few workers to build a colonnade. But, despite all these circumstances, they built it in just two years. She immediately became the hallmark of Abkhazia.
Grand Opening of the Gagra Colonnadetook place in 1956. What is this landmark? This is a multi-arched composition whose length is more than 60 meters. It was built in the Moorish style. The eight arcades of arcades connect four white towers. The colonnade is located around the square, in Soviet times called the Constitution Square. In the center of it is an elegant fountain with a sculpture of a dove, which is a symbol of peace on earth. By the way, there are other interesting objects on this square, for example, a cinema and a mosaic fountain. Particularly popular sight gained after it "lit up" in a fairly well-known film called "Winter Evening in Gagra."
Where is the colonnade?
I want to visit this landmarkAbkhazia alone? Easy peasy! It is located in the heart of the city, near the Seaside Park. Before the colonnade, on the square, there are numerous souvenir shops, tents with magnets and other knickknacks. Various tourist bureaus are also located here, where you can find interesting excursions to the sights of Abkhazia in Pitsunda, Gagra, Novy Afon, Sukhum.
Apery
What place can be visited by the whole family?Of course, monkey nursery! It was opened in 1927 at the place where the summer residence of the Russian scientist Ostroumov was located. The nursery is located near the Sukhumi Botanical Garden. Today, there are about 300 monkeys, which you can watch for hours on end! Cute and friendly primates can be served fruit. However, you should be careful - cunning monkeys can steal jewelry from hands. In addition, they usually do not want to part with their prey.
Pitsunda beach
Speaking of sights and entertainmentAbkhazia, can not be said about the beach Pitsunda. Why is it so popular among the guests of the country and the locals? The fact is that there are practically no strong currents here, the sea in these places is crystal clear, and the air is fresh and pleasant! In addition, immediately after this beach begins pine forest, where you can hide from the sun in especially hot hours. Much of the beach is covered with small pebbles, but you can go a little further and find a sand and pebble area.
Castle of the Prince of Oldenburg
One of the most beautiful buildings in Abkhazia,performed in the Art Nouveau style, tourists call the castle of the Prince of Oldenburg. We offer you a photo of this sights of Abkhazia, description and reviews of visitors!
The castle was built in 1902.Then Prince Alexander of Oldenburg visited this amazing country for the first time. It is not surprising that he fell in love with Abkhazia, and therefore decided that there should appear a magnificent resort that can compete with Nice. Initially, he decided to create a park here. For this, swamps were drained and trees and shrubs planted. After the prince built the castle itself, and then decided to build a telegraph and hospital in Gagra. However, it was not possible to carry out his plans: the war intervened in his plans, but even those parts that Alexander Oldenburgsky managed to erect are worthy of attention. When the Bolsheviks came to power, the castle was turned into a boarding house "Chaika". After the collapse of the USSR, the building fell into complete decay, survived the raids of marauders and fire. Now the castle is leased to a private person. The plans - a complete restoration of the object.
Vacationers celebrate the convenient location of the castle -He stands at the terminus of urban minibuses. You can get here on foot or by cable car from the Seaside Park. Access to the castle is temporarily limited, but it can be visited as part of the tour, which is held for visitors to another attraction - the Gagripsh restaurant.
