City of Sukhumi. Abkhazia and its main resort
Undoubtedly, one of the nearest resorts that most attract Russian tourists, is Sukhumi, Abkhazia. The fate of this city is very interesting, and its roots go back centuries. Ancient ethnic groups lived on this territory back in the days of the primitive system, and in the 6th century AD, a city grew here, on the Black Sea coast. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to see all the sights that were erected here in the era of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and classicism, since it was literally wiped off the face of the Earth more than once. Now one of the most visited resorts is Sukhumi. Abkhazia, although separated from Georgia, still contains many traditions of this wonderful country.
The new history of the city begins in the 20th century, when it was rebuilt by the Soviet authorities. At that time, hotels, boarding houses were built in Sukhumi, and private buildings were very popular. Over the entire century, a lot of luxurious villas have grown here, which belonged to the authorities and rich people. So, it is on the territory of Sukhumi that Abkhazia appears to the traveler in the form of strict and at the same time light streets, on which gray faceless Soviet boarding houses and luxurious cottages that were built before and continue to be built now coexist.
One of the main attractions of the city is the local Botanical Garden, which was founded in 1840. It is a real magnet for all tourists, as well as for researchers who conduct their experiments here and replenish their knowledge base. In the next century, a monkey nursery was opened near the garden, which also became a research center at the same time. It was this place, according to the scientists of the USSR, that made a huge contribution to the development of science.
On the lands of the city of Sukhumi, Abkhazia also manifests itself in all its high cost, since this particular resort in the entire region is considered the most fashionable. But despite this status, there are still a lot of "Soviet" hotels, cafes and even canteens. However, local entrepreneurs are working hard to ensure that all institutions in the city have a European level of both conditions and service. It should be noted that the most popular hotel in Sukhumi is "Ritsa". Many vacationers note that the prices in it are very humane.
Sukhumi (Abkhazia) is a green and picturesque Black Sea city. A map of this region shows that it is located in a subtropical climate, and therefore there are no harsh winters here. Under New Year the temperature drops to +10 degrees, and in summer it rises above 30. The sun's rays warm the sea perfectly, and the whole city is buried in the greenery of eucalyptus trees, palm trees and other tropical plants. The air here is extremely clean, so people suffering from respiratory diseases often come here.
Sukhumi is also a hospital city in this region, oddly enough, they are much better equipped than even expensive hotels, and the wellness program in them is very effective. Most often, people with asthma, heart failure, and also in cases where there is a risk of stroke are sent here.
On the site of the settlements of primitive people in the 6th century, a city was founded, later called Sukhum. He saw many battles and rulers. More than once it was destroyed and rebuilt again, literally from ruins. And even now his fate is not easy. It is both the capital of the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia and a formal administrative unit of Georgia.
War 1992-93 left on beautiful city non-healing wounds. The burnt-out House of the Council of Ministers still stands on Freedom Square, and trees have already grown inside the abandoned buildings. But despite the scars of ethnic conflict, the nature here is still fabulously beautiful, and the sparsely populated beaches with small pebbles are among the best in Abkhazia. With the complete absence of resort chic, the main advantages of a holiday in Sukhum are the warm sea and more than humane prices.
How to get to Sukhum
By train
From Russia, the capital of Abkhazia can be reached directly by trains No. 306M Moscow - Sukhum (from the Kazansky railway station, 39 hours, 3700/6300 RUB) and No. 479A St. Petersburg - Sukhum (57 hours, 5100/8600 RUB).
Trains from Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod and other cities of Russia arrive at the Adler railway station. From here, by buses and minibuses No. 57, 100, 117, 125 and 173, you can get to the border crossing in Psou and then by bus, minibus or taxi to Sukhum.
By bus or private car
Sukhum can be reached by intercity buses from Moscow (28 hours, from 3000 RUB), Rostov-on-Don (14 hours, 1700 RUB), Krasnodar (12 hours, 700 RUB), Nalchik (24 hours, 2000 RUB) and other cities.
Those who decide to drive their own car should remember about traffic jams on the roads of the Caucasian coast and the fact that Russian OSAGO and CASCO insurances do not work in Abkhazia.
The nearest airport to Sukhum
From airport to city
The most economical option is to take bus number 173 or a minibus to the Psou stop next to the border crossing to Abkhazia (30-40 minutes, 33 RUB), cross the border through the checkpoint for pedestrians and take a regular bus on the Abkhazian side (1- 2 times per hour) or a minibus to Sukhum (departures as they fill up, 2-2.5 hours on the way, 150 RUB). Prices on the page are for March 2019.
Crossing the border with Abkhazia usually takes 15-30 minutes, but can take 2-3 hours.
Private taxi drivers at the airport ask for a trip to the border of 1000 RUB, but they also agree to an amount 2-3 times less. When pre-ordering, the cost of a group transfer airport - Sukhum will cost from 1000 RUB per person, taxi - from 2500 RUB. Taxi from Psou to Sukhum - from 2000 RUB.
Search for flights to Adler (nearest airport to Sukhum)
A bit of history
Many hotels, restaurants, public buildings, embankments have been built here since then. The infrastructure developed very harmoniously, complementing those resort facilities that brought him considerable income. Sukhum also attracted those wishing to have their own villa or cottage on the Black Sea coast. As a result, a unique image of this city was formed: at the same time rational and frivolous-resort.
A serious contribution to the development of Sukhum was made by the Botanical Garden, founded back in 1840. This is not only a local attraction, but also a research center. In 1927 a unique monkey nursery was established. In 1989, the All-Russian Congress of Doctors recognized Sukhum as one of the best climatic and balneological resorts in the country. The political situation in the region developed in such a way that for several years it was impossible to rest here. But everything returns to normal, and Sukhum returns to its former attractiveness for holidaymakers.
Transport
You can move around Sukhum by buses, trolleybuses, city minibuses and taxis. The main transport hub is the Central Market, where the routes of all buses and trolleybuses intersect. They all go on line at 6:30 and finish work at 20:30. Entrance to the salon - through the rear and middle doors. Paying the fare to the driver when exiting through the front door.
The cost of a trip by trolleybus is 5 RUB, by bus - 10 RUB, by minibus - 15-20 RUB.
The main means of transportation on the territory of Abkhazia are minibuses departing from the Sukhumi bus station and Central Market. The final destinations are written in Russian on the plates behind the windshield. The fare is from 50 to 150 RUB, the driver announces. Minibuses run at intervals of 10-20 minutes, but after 19:00 their movement practically disappears.
Taxi services in Sukhum are represented by private cab drivers in broken Soviet classics and several taxi companies with quite decent foreign cars. There are parking lots at the Central Market, near the bus station and in the busiest places in the city. The car can be ordered by phone numbers indicated on billboards and banners on the nearest pole or fence. A trip around the city in a legal taxi is paid according to the meter: landing 100 RUB (includes 2-3 km), then - 15-20 RUB for each kilometer of the journey and 3-4 RUB for a minute of waiting for a client. The cost of a taxi ride in New Athos- from 400 RUB, to Gudauta - from 600 RUB, to Gagra and Pitsunda - from 1200 RUB, to Lake Ritsa - from 1800 RUB. Taxi to the hot springs in the village of Kyndyg - 1300 RUB (round trip with a 2-hour wait).
Bicycles for rent
A bike rental station is located at the Inter-Sukhum Hotel. Rental price: 1 hour - 200 RUB, 3 hours - 400 RUB, day (from 7:00 to 20:00) - 600 RUB, day (from 7:00 to 20:00 the next day) - 1300 RUB.
Rent a Car
Renting a car is a good opportunity to expand the geography of your holiday and get acquainted with the natural beauties of Abkhazia. Car rental in the republic is supported by local companies Bora-Auto and Bekar-Auto, whose offices are located near the border crossing in Psou. The cost of renting an economy class car (Nissan Micra) upon prior order is 2000 RUB/day or 9800 RUB/week. Plus local insurance of 1900 RUB and a deposit of 5000 RUB (refundable at the end of the rental). Traveling outside of Abkhazia on a rented car is not allowed.
Fine for exceeding the speed limit by 10-30 km/h - 600-1800 RUB, driving into the oncoming lane - 5000 RUB, drunk driving - up to 12,000 RUB. The best gasoline in Sukhum is at Rosneft gas stations: AI-95 - 38 RUB / l, diesel fuel - 35 RUB / l.
Most parking in the city is free. Official paid parking is available only near the Central Market (50 RUB/day). Everything else is a private initiative of local entrepreneurs, "cutting" 50-100 RUB from each car. There are practically no traffic jams, but the driving style of Abkhaz drivers may seem too aggressive. On country roads, the abundance of speed limit signs is striking, which are vigilantly watched by the owners of striped sticks sitting in ambush.
If you need a car for only 1-3 days, you should think about renting a car with a driver. It costs 3000-4000 RUB/day.
Communication and Wi-Fi
The cheapest way to call Russia is from SIM cards of Abkhaz operators mobile communications A-Mobile and Aquafon, which are sold in the Sukhumi offices of operators. The starting price of the tourist package "Resort" from A-Mobile is 500 RUB, 150 of which remain on the card balance. The cost of local calls is 5.75 RUB/minute, starting from the 4th minute of calls per day, it is reduced to 2 RUB/minute. International calls to Russia - 9 RUB/minute. The connected package of services "Everything" costing 333/555/777 RUB and valid for 7/14/30 days allows you to additionally receive 1000/3000/4000 Mb of 4G Internet traffic and 10/30/50 minutes of free calls to Russia. The cost of a call to Russia in the tourist package "Sea" of the Aquafon operator is the same 9 RUB / minute.
Free Wi-Fi is available in all hotels, boarding houses and guest houses, in most restaurants and cafes and others. in public places cities. Internet cafes in the center of Sukhum are popular among those who, in addition to the Internet, need a printer, scanner or other peripheral equipment (50 RUB/hour), as well as among fans of computer games (40 RUB/hour).
Sukhumi beaches
Sukhum beaches stretch for almost 20 km from Cape Krasny Mayak in the northwest to the village of Agudzera in the southeast. Pebble Central Beach located opposite the Dioscuri promenade. In addition to showers and changing cabins, here you can rent sun umbrellas, sun loungers, ride a catamaran or a jet ski. Several catering establishments and stalls with fast food and ice cream are open on the embankment.
To the east of the center is the wild Lokomotiv beach. The only paid beach in the city of Sukhum (entrance 30-50 RUB) belongs to a military sanatorium. Against the background of the rest, it stands out for its cleanliness, order, exemplary maintenance of beach equipment, the presence of a medical center and lifeguards. You can have lunch or take away food at beach cafe. Unfortunately, at times the sea in the city limits is unsuitable for swimming due to debris and oil stains.
The cost of renting an umbrella or sun lounger is 50-70 RUB, a catamaran - from 400 RUB / hour, a jet ski - from 1000 RUB / hour, secure parking near the country beach - 50-100 RUB per day.
3-6 km southeast of the center of Sukhum along the coast stretches a chain of beaches Aytar, Medical, Sinop and Kyalasur, covered with small pebbles or sand. They are easily accessible by trolleybus number 2 from the Central Market. Clean water, convenient entry into the sea, showers, toilets, changing rooms, rental of all kinds of beach attributes, cafes and guarded parking lots attract families with children and lovers comfortable rest. Despite their popularity, even during the season, these beaches are not crowded.
There are semi-wild pebble beaches in Agudzer and on Cape Red Lighthouse. All their "amenities" are changing cabins.
Treatment
The sanatorium and medical base in Sukhum, which was inherited from the USSR, has practically been lost. Former sanatoriums and boarding houses have moved into the category of ordinary hotels and recreation centers with dilapidated walls and poorly maintained tropical parks. The only surviving sanatorium with treatment is Apsny. Here they help to get rid of arthritis, osteochondrosis, hypertension, diseases of the respiratory system and the nervous system. The cost of specialist consultations and medical procedures is incredibly low - from 70 to 600 RUB, accommodation in a double room with full board - 1450-1600 RUB per person per day.
Despite the almost complete disappearance of sanatoriums, the natural factors that made Sukhum a popular Black Sea resort are healing mineral springs, sea air filled with phytoncides, etc. - are still in demand. The positions of the disappeared sanatoriums are today occupied by hotels with spa and fitness centers, such as Atrium-Victoria and Caracas. True, the list of health and relaxation procedures in them is small, mainly massage, beautician services using local mountain herbs, relaxing salt saunas and Turkish baths, phytobarrels, gym classes, pools with hydromassage.
Sukhum Hotels
The surroundings of Sukhum deserve a separate trip. Just 6 km from the city, a medieval humpbacked Bridge of Queen Tamara is thrown across a mountain river, which Abkhazians prefer to call Besletsky. At 30 km lies the beautiful Chernigovka gorge with waterfalls and river rifts. The road to it passes through the village of Merkheul - the birthplace of Lavrenty Beria. Sukhum has not bypassed the passion for extreme ropejumping. A 50 m high jumping platform is located at the cascading Shakur waterfall.
4 things to do in Sukhum
- Learn to pronounce magic words in Abkhazian without hesitation: “hello” - “bzeira umaz”, “thank you” - “itabup”, “please” - “sukheoit”.
- Find the house where Fazil Iskander was born and lived and the places described in his novel Sandro from Chegem.
- Feel like a hero of the movie "Stalker" in search of new experiences.
- Learn the secret of great Turkish coffee at Akop's Coffee House.
Tskhum/Tskhumi
Sukhum-Kale
Sukhum (from 1810 to 1936, and from 1992)
Sukhumi (from 1936 to 1992)
- 27 km²
Sukhumi/Sukhumi
Sukhumi/Sukhumi
City administration building
Sukhum(Abkh. Аҟәа / akua/, load. სოხუმი / sokhumi/; from 1936 to 1992 - Sukhumi, the name is sometimes used at the present time, including by Georgia) - the largest city in Abkhazia. Capital, city of republican significance of the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia, according to administrative division- the capital, city of republican significance of the Abkhazian Autonomous Republic. Previously - the capital of the Abkhaz SSR and the Abkhaz ASSR as part of the Georgian SSR.
On the site of the city in the VI century. BC e. was an ancient Greek colony Dioscurias , then Roman fortress Sebastopolis . At the beginning of the VI century belonged to Byzantium. In the Middle Ages, as part of the Georgian kingdom. In the 16th - early 19th centuries, the city was ruled by Abkhazian feudal lords and was called Sukhum-Kale . In 1810 it was taken by the Russians during the Russo-Turkish War of 1806-1812. In the second half of the 1840s, he received the status of .
The population in 2015 was estimated at 64,441.
Etymology
In the Georgian chronicles, the settlement is mentioned starting from the 8th - 10th centuries. as ცხუმი [tskhumi] (also the name in Russian is transmitted as Tskhum). Usually the etymology of the word is associated with the Svan word " tskhumi"- a hornbeam, there is also a version, voiced, in particular, by Joseph Orbeli and, subsequently, Oleg Trubachev, about the origin of the word " tshum" from Georgian, Megrelian and Chan " tshum"- twins, corresponding in meaning to the Greek name Dioscurias.
The fortress built in 1724 by the Turks and the city began to be called Sukhum-Kale (Turkish. " su"- water, hum"- sand, " feces"- fortress, city).
With the accession of the Caucasus to the Russian Empire, the Russified name Sukhum was established. The Abkhazian language uses the toponym Аҟәа [akua], in Georgian - სოხუმი [sokhumi].
In August 1936, the city was officially renamed Sukhumi, while the toponym Sukhum actually continued to be used, usually by the Abkhaz, along with the new name. In December 1992, the Supreme Council of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia issued a resolution renaming Sukhumi to Sukhum. This toponym was indicated by the Federal Agency for Geodesy and Cartography of Russia in October 2008 as the name of the capital of the Republic of Abkhazia after the latter recognized its independence.
Story
Colchian coin of Dioscurias, late 2nd century BC. Obverse: Two pilos surmounted by stars. Reverse: thyrsus, ΔΙΟΣΚΟΥΡΙΑΔΟΣ
The first settlements on the territory of the city appeared in the ancient Stone Age in the era of the Lower Paleolithic, about 300 thousand years ago.
The history of the city has more than 2500 years. This is one of ancient cities peace.
On the site of the large local settlement of Akua, at the foot of the three mountains of Yashtkhva, Birtskha and Gvarda, in the 6th century BC, Greek merchants from Miletus founded the colony of Dioskuriadu (Dioscuria), naming it in honor of the Dioscuri brothers Castor and Pollux (Pollux), participants in the Argonauts' campaign to Colchis, which then belonged to the Pontic kingdom. The toponym Aku is found in the Greek inscription on the gold coins of the Colchian coinage (III-II centuries BC) and is compared with the Abkhazian name of the city Akua. Dioscuria was a significant trading center, providing not only the local needs of the region, but also transit trade with the peoples North Caucasus. In the V-II centuries BC. e. it played a significant political and economic role in the Western Caucasus. This is indicated by the ancient geographer and historian Strabo:
... Dioscuria also serves as the beginning of the isthmus between the Caspian Sea and Pontus, and as a common trading center for the peoples living above and near it; here converge, they say, 70 nationalities ...
In the 1st century BC, as a result of the Mithridatic Wars and the turmoil that followed them, Dioscuria lost its significance. In 65 BC. e. the Romans came here, who founded the fortress of Sebastopolis on the site of the Greek colony (from the Greek sebastos - sacred and polis - city, the Greek word sebastos is a translation of the Latin "August" (formerly an epithet of Roman emperors), as it is believed, in honor of the emperor Octavian Augustus, according to Greek "sebastos", who was born on September 23, 63 BC, that is, after the founding of the city and received the name Imperator Caesar Augustus on January 16, 27 BC The fortifications of Sebastopolis retained their strength for 200 years, and then began to collapse. In the 6th century, the Byzantines invaded the coast and captured the fortress.Under Emperor Justinian I, Sebastopolis was rebuilt and experienced a new period of prosperity.In the 30s of the 8th century, the Arabs swept the lands of Abkhazia, although they could not settle here, but managed to destroy the city .
Since 736, the settlement has been known as Tskhum as part of the Abkhazian kingdom. In the Middle Ages, the city of Tskhumi was part of the Georgian kingdom. To XIV century turns into a peripheral town of Sabediano. Since the 15th century, it has again been an important trading port of the Eastern Black Sea region and the main point of the Genoese colonization of the coast.
From the 16th century the territory of Abkhazia is under the rule of the Turks: in 1578 they captured the city, calling it Sukhum-Kale. In 1724, the fortress was rebuilt.
From the end of the 18th century to 1864, the city was the capital of the Abkhaz principality. The Abkhazians recaptured the fortress from the Turks, and the sovereign prince of Abkhazia transferred his residence to it. In 1805, the sovereign prince of Abkhazia, Keleshbey Shervashidze-Chachba, decided to annex his country to Russia, following the example of the Kartli and Megrelian kings. But this was only possible after 5 years. On February 17, 1810, a manifesto was signed on the annexation of Abkhazia to Russia.
During the Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812, the Russian amphibious assault drove the Turkish garrison out of the city, occupied the local fortress (see Capture of Sukhum) and approved the power of the Russian emperor.
In 1846, Sukhum-Kale received the status of a trading port, and in 1848, the status of a port city, which in 1866 became known as Sukhum. After the abolition of the Abkhaz principality in 1864, it became the center of the Sukhum military department (region) under the authority of the governor-general, since 1866 the center of the Sukhum district of the Kutaisi province.
During the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878), she tried to wrest the Black Sea coast from Russia. On May 2, 1877, the Turkish fleet began bombarding the city and landing troops, the Russian garrison retreated. The recapture of Sukhum by detachments of generals Babich, Alkhazov and Shelkovnikov was carried out on August 20 of the same year.
20th century
In Soviet times, the improvement and restoration of the city of Sukhumi was carried out. At this time were built:
- art school (1935),
- hotel "Abkhazia" (1938),
- Government House of the Abkhaz ASSR (1939),
- railway station (1951),
- Institute of Subtropical Economy (1968).
In the 1960s, the construction of a typical residential and resort infrastructure was actively developed.
In August 1990, one of the largest prison riots in the world took place in Sukhumi. recent history. The prisoners seized a warehouse with weapons, which was stored in one of the cells. They took three controllers hostage and demanded buses and a plane. A special detachment of the KGB "Alpha" and special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs "Vityaz" were called. The hostages were released, and one of the convicts was killed during the operation.
In the early 1990s, Sukhum was one of the centers of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict.
Attractions
- Sukhumi fortress;
- Bagrat Castle;
- Great Abkhaz wall;
- Sukhumi lighthouse;
- Botanical Garden;
- Apery;
- Besletsky bridge;
- Red Bridge;
Geography
It is located in the central part of the republic, 107 km from the border with, on the Black Sea coast, on the shores of the Sukhumi Bay. The Basla (Besletka) and Sukhumka (Khakipsy) rivers flow through the city, and the Kyalasur River limits it from the south.
Climate
The climate in Sukhum is humid subtropical. Average annual temperature: + 14.8 °C, sea water warms up to +28…+30 °C. Winter is warm: from +8 to +14 °C, summer is hot and humid: from +24 to +30 °C.
| Climate of Sukhum | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indicator | Jan. | Feb. | March | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sen. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Year |
| Average maximum, °C | 9,4 | 10,0 | 13,6 | 17,5 | 21,8 | 25,5 | 27,8 | 28,3 | 25,3 | 21,3 | 16,0 | 12,1 | 19,0 |
| Average temperature, °C | 5,7 | 6,3 | 9,4 | 12,7 | 17,1 | 20,8 | 23,6 | 24,0 | 20,7 | 16,7 | 12,0 | 8,3 | 14,8 |
| Average minimum, °C | 2,1 | 2,7 | 5,2 | 8,0 | 12,5 | 16,2 | 19,4 | 19,7 | 16,1 | 12,1 | 8,0 | 4,5 | 10,5 |
| Precipitation rate, mm | 121 | 111 | 113 | 121 | 96 | 111 | 114 | 126 | 133 | 128 | 136 | 143 | 1453 |
| Source: Sukhum climate | |||||||||||||
Population
Below is the dynamics of the population of Sukhum for 1849-2015:
| Population | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1849 | 1886 | 1897 | 1926 | 1939 | 1959 | 1970 | 1979 |
| 365 | ↗ 412 | ↗ 7998 | ↗ 21 568 | ↗ 44 299 | ↗ 64 730 | ↗ 101 798 | ↗ 108 337 |
| 1989 | 2003 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
| ↗ 119 150 | ↘ 43 716 | ↗ 62 914 | ↗ 63 556 | ↗ 64 025 | ↗ 64 202 | ↗ 64 441 | |
National composition
According to the 1989 census, the population of the capital of Abkhazia was 119,150 people, including:
- Georgians - 49,460 people (41.5%),
- Russians - 25,739 people (21.6%),
- Abkhazians - 14,922 people (12.5%),
- Armenians - 12,242 people (10.3%).
According to the 2003 population census, 43,716 people lived in the capital of Abkhazia, including:
- Abkhazians - 24,603 people. (56.3%),
- Russians - 8902 people (20.4%),
- Armenians - 5565 people (12.7%),
- Georgians - 1847 people. (4.2%),
- Greeks - 677 people. (1.5%).
According to the 2011 census, the population of the capital of Abkhazia was 62,914 people, including:
- Abkhazians - 42,603 people (67.3%),
- Russians - 9288 people. (14.8%),
- Armenians - 6192 people (9.8%),
- Georgians - 1755 people. (2.8%),
- Greeks - 645 people. (1.0%).
culture
Sukhum is an ancient cultural center of Abkhazia. In the southern part of the city is its historical and logical core - the Sukhumi fortress.
Sukhumi fortress
In the 1860s, a local history museum was created in Sukhum.
The Abkhaz Drama Theater has been operating in the city since 1930, and an art gallery was opened in 1963.
The Central Exhibition Hall of the Union of Artists of Abkhazia is located.
In February 2009, after reconstruction, the Abkhaz State Philharmonic Society reopened.
Broadcasting
- 101.1 MHz Hara hradio;
- 101.9 MHz Radio Rio Rita;
- 103.2 MHz Radio Sputnik Abkhazia;
- 103.7 MHz Apsua radio;
- 104.3 MHz Radio Satellite;
- 105.1 MHz Russian radio (Dombay);
- 106.5 MHz First radio;
- 107.9 MHz Radio Soma;
- 1350 kHz Apsua radio.
Transport
The building of the railway station.
Commercial bus routes operate in,.
There is a railway connection from Sukhum station to Moscow, (in summer up to, wagons up to).
Not far from the city is Babushara Airport, which is operated by the Abkhazian Airlines.
Urban transport
Represented by buses fixed-route taxis and three trolleybus routes.
Chapters
- Gabiskiria, Guram Nikolaevich - September 27, 1993
- Adgur Kharazia
twin cities
| The country | City | Year | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relations established during the Soviet era | ||||
| Acharnes | 1989 | |||
| () | ||||
| After the hostilities in Abkhazia in 1992-1993, | ||||
| PMR/ | 2006 | |||
| 2006 | Agreement on the establishment of friendly relations dated 15.06.2006 | |||
| NKR/ | ||||
| 2011 | Agreement on sister city relations dated 06.06.2011 | |||
| 2012 | ||||
| Italy | Sant'Antioco | 2014 | ||
Gallery
Blagoveshchensky cathedral
Roman Catholic Church of St. Apostle Simon the Zealot
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint John
Former building of the Council of Ministers of Soviet Abkhazia
Abkhaz Institute for Humanitarian Research named after D. I. Gulia
Hotel "Ritsa". Built in 1914.
General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Abkhazia
Residence of the Government and the President of the Republic of Abkhazia
Lenin Park
Colonnade
View of the RVSN and MVO sanatoriums from the embankment
Russian Drama Theater
Entrance to the botanical garden
Embankment
Freedom Square, the building of the Parliament of Abkhazia
Sukhumi Botanical Garden in 1912.
City Hall building.
Sukhum from space.
Sukhum on the Georgian banknote of 200 lari.
View of Sukhum in 1912. Photo by Prokudin-Gorsky
P. P. Vereshchagin - Sukhum-Kale (late 19th century)
Railroad station
Sukhum in philately
Topographic maps
- Map sheet K-37-34 Gudauta
- Map sheet K-37-35 Sukhumi. Scale: 1: 100,000. State of the area in 1976. Edition 1978
- Map sheet K-37-46 m. Sukhumi. Scale: 1:100,000. Indicate the date of issue/state of the area.
see also
- Freedom Square (Sukhum)
- Sukhumi trolleybus
- Abkhaz State University
- Black Sea coast of the Caucasus
Notes
- According to the administrative division of the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia
- According to the administrative division
- This settlement is located in Abkhazia, which is a disputed territory. According to the administrative division, the disputed territory is occupied by the Abkhazian Autonomous Republic. In fact, the disputed territory is occupied by the partially recognized state of the Republic of Abkhazia.
- Adgur Kharazia appointed mayor of Sukhum
- Yu. N. Voronov. Dioscurias - Sebastopolis - Tskhum. - M. : Nauka, 1980. - 128 p. - 35,800 copies.
- Sukhumi // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978.
- Institute of the Russian Language (Academy of Sciences of the USSR). Etymology. - M.: Nauka, 1979. - S. 116.
O. N. Trubachev. Indoarica in the Northern Black Sea region / Managing editors L. A. Gindin to I. B. Eskova. - M. : Nauka, 1999. - S. 320. - 1000 copies. - ISBN 5-02-011675-0.…We are naturally more interested in cases from closer territories. Indeed, there are such examples, and they are exceptionally bright and not disclosed in all respects. These include the Greek Διοσκουριας, Dioscurias, ancient name Sukhumi, derived from the name Διοσκουριοι, Dioscuri, sons of Zeus, twins. It is believed that the same semantics is represented in the title Sukhum(s), originally Tskhum, cf. cargo., mingr., vat. tkubi, tkupi"twins", "twins", "double nut, fruit", here Lechkhum, the name of one of the regions of Imereti. Thus, the words of interest to us θqum, θqum mean twins, twins. Therefore, the word Sukhum, more precisely Tskhum almost completely corresponds in meaning to the Greek name of Dioscurias and means Twins, the word Lechkhum means country of twins or the area where Chhum is located, Gemini.»
Orbeli I A. City of twins Aiocncoupidç and tribe of charioteers "Hfíoxoi" // ZhMNP 1911, May. S. 207.
There. S. 203.
There. S. 209. - Pospelov E. M. Geographical names of the world: Toponymic Dictionary, M., "Russian Dictionaries", 1998, p. 402 - ISBN 5-89216-029-7
- H. S. Bgazhba. Proceedings. Book one. - Sukhumi: Alashara, 1987. - S. 146.
Thus, the toponym Sukhumi goes back to Tskhum-i (Tskhom-i), recorded in the Georgian chronicles since the 10th century. With the advent of the Turks on the coast, Tskhumi began to be called Sukhum-Kale, which corresponds to the phonetic norms of the Turkish language.
- Sukhum- article from the Dictionary of Modern Place Names
- Change in the administrative-territorial division of the union republics
- Collection of legislative acts of the Republic of Abkhazia, issue 3. - Sukhum, 1995. - P. 94-95.
- Sharia V. Abkhaz tragedy (collection). - Sochi, 1993. - C. 126.
- Abkhazia in figures 2015: Department of State Statistics of the Republic of Abkhazia. - Sukhum: IP Lagvilava A., 2016. - S. 22-27. - 140 s. - 300 copies.
- Ethnocaucasus. Population of the Republic of Abkhazia: Results of the 2011 census of the Republic of Abkhazia, Sukhum, 2012; Abkhazia in figures, Sukhum, 2005.
- Population of districts and municipalities according to the 2011 census of Abkhazia.
- Despite the status of the capital, the government of the Abkhazian Autonomous Republic is in exile. The headquarters from 1993 to 2006 and starting from 2008 is located in, from 2006 to 2008 it was located in the village of Chkhalta (Kodori Gorge).
- Bgazhba O. Kh., Lakoba S. Z. City life // History of Abkhazia from ancient times to the present day. - Sukhum, 2007. - 392 p. - 5000 copies.
- "Sukhum-Akua" on the Official website of the city of Sukhum.
- ლეონტი მროველის. მესამე ტექსტი // [[] ქართლის ცხოვრება].
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And as soon as Deaf Klisura passed, which at that time was the border between Greece and Georgia, he defeated the city of Apshileti Tskhumi and approached the fortress of Anakopia, in which there is a miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos sent down from above.
Juansher Juansheriani (Translated by G. V. Tsulai). The life of Vakhtang Gorgasal, his parents, and then his own - the great and God-loving king, who, more than all other kings of Kartli, showed us the glory of his name. - Tbilisi: Metsniereba, 1976.original text
- Bgazhba O. Kh., Lakoba S. Z.
In 1724, the Turkish architect Yusuf-aga built a bastion-type fortress. She and the city itself began to be called Sukhum-Kale. The Turks interpreted this name in their own way, as "su" - water, "hum" - sand, "kala" - a fortress, a city.
- Bgazhba O. Kh., Lakoba S. Z. Dioscuriad // History of Abkhazia from ancient times to the present day. - Sukhum, 2007. - 392 p. - 5000 copies.
At the same time, the territory where the Greeks founded Dioscuriades bore the ancient Abkhazian name "Akua". The inscription “Akoy” (Akua) on gold coins (staters) minted in 90-80 years can also speak about the antiquity of the local toponym. 2nd century BC e. in imitation of the staters of the Thracian king Lysimachus. Bagrat Castle, so named by local historians in the late 19th - early 20th centuries, was previously called the Agua (Akua) castle
- Union of Writers of the USSR. Union of Writers of the RSFSR. Leningrad Branch, Leningrad Writers' Organization. Neva. - State publishing house of fiction, 1982. - S. 80.
- Letter Federal Agency Geodesy and Cartography dated October 9, 2008 No. 2 / 1-13-3416 "On changes on the world map"
- Quick overview of Sukhum
- Newspaper "Situation", No. 25, January 2009, p. 3
- Tsvizhba L.I. Ethno-demographic processes in Abkhazia in the 19th century. - Sukhum, 2001. - S. 44.
- Tsvizhba L.I. Ethno-demographic processes in Abkhazia in the 19th century. - Sukhum, 2001. - S. 46.
- Ethnocaucasus. population of Abkhazia.
- The first general census of the population of the Russian Empire in 1897. - T. XVI. Kutaisi province. - St. Petersburg. , 1905. - S. 2.
- Population of the USSR: According to the All-Union Population Census of 1979 - M.: Politizdat, 1980.
- Apsnypress (January 4, 2012)
- Ethnic composition of Abkhazia
- The Abkhaz State Philharmonic Society solemnly opened in Sukhum
- Between Sukhum and Sochi resumed bus service
- JSC AF "Kubanpassazhiravtoservis"
- Abkhazia is in favor of developing relations with San Marino
- Abkhazian memorial in Scotland
- Sukhum has sister cities in Russia and abroad. Apsnypress (May 2, 2012). Retrieved May 2, 2012. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012.
- This settlement is located in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. According to the administrative-territorial division of Moldova, most of the territory controlled by the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is included as administrative-territorial units on the left bank of the Dniester, the other part is part of Moldova as municipalities. Claimed territory of Transnistria Republic of Moldova, controlled by Moldova, is located on the territory, and regions of Moldova. In fact, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is an unrecognized state, most of the declared territory of which is not controlled by Moldova.
- The capital of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic - Tiraspol celebrates its 214th anniversary!. Supreme Council of the PMR (October 14, 2006). Retrieved May 2, 2012. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012.
- Website of the Administration of the city of Podolsk - Brothers,
- On May 12, the Protocols of Friendship and Cooperation were signed between the cities of Abkhazia and Italy, mfaapsny.org (May 12, 2014). Retrieved May 12, 2014.
Links
- Website of the administration of the city of Sukhum
- Weather in Sukhum
- Webcam on Prospekt Mira
- Sukhum - the capital of Abkhazia (unavailable link since 27-05-2018 )
- Sukhum, excursions, photos of the city
- Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Abkhazia (unavailable link since 27-05-2018 )
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Sukhum is the official capital of the Republic of Abkhazia. The city is not only the scientific, administrative, cultural center of the country, but also one of the most famous and attractive resorts on the Black Sea coast. Sukhum has long been famous for its clean beaches, clear sea water, picturesque surroundings, a large number of historical, architectural and natural attractions. The modern tourism industry is gradually recovering from the devastating 90s, today the resort boasts boarding houses, sanatoriums and high-class hotels. Everyone here will find something to their liking - young people, respectable couples, connoisseurs of measured rest or active nightlife can fully enjoy all the advantages of Abkhazia and the city of Sukhum.
General information about the city
The capital of the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia - Sukhum is located in the center of the country, four rivers flow through the city - Kyalasur, Khakipsy, Gumista and Besletka, Samata and Khatkhua mountains are nearby. The settlement stands on a plain, which is protected from cold air currents by mountain ranges from the northeast, the area of the city is 25 sq. km.
The population of Sukhum is about 65,000 people, the ethnic composition is 67% - Abkhazians, 14% - Russians, 10% - Armenians, 3% - Georgians, 1% - Greeks, 5% are other nationalities.
Distance from Sukhum (Abkhazia) to the border with Russian Federation- 107 km, from Gagra to Sukhumi - 80 km, from Pitsunda - 81 km, from New Athos - 26 km, from Gudauta - 45 km.
Origin of the name "Sukhum"
Many tourists still cannot figure out how to properly name this Caucasian city. The name of Sukhum and Sukhumi can equally be heard in guidebooks and on the streets of the resort.
In the ancient Georgian chronicles, this settlement appears in the 8th-10th centuries. The toponym sounded then as "Tskhumi" (or "Tskhum" in Russian). The origin of the word is associated with a large number of hornbeams growing in this area, translated into the Svan tree hornbeam - tskhumi.
The second version was put forward by the scientists Orbeli and Trubachev, who believed that the word "tshum" in Megrelian, Georgian and Chan meant "twins", which corresponded to the Greek Dioskurias (previously there was an ancient colony with that name). In 1724, the Turks came to this land and the city and citadel built by them began to be called Sukhum-Kale (literal translation - a fortress built on the sand, next to the water). Since the 1840s, Sukhum received the status of a city, and after the annexation of the Caucasus to the Russian Empire, the toponym received a Russified name - Sukhum. In the Abkhaz language, the word sounds like "akua", and in Georgian - "sokhumi".
The resort began to be officially called Sukhumi from August 1936, although both options were used all this time. Since 1992, by the decision of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia, the name of Sukhum was finally assigned to the settlement.
History of Sukhum
According to archaeological excavations, the history of the city of Sukhum began 300 thousand years ago, when the first people appeared here. Officially, the city is 2.5 centuries old, which makes Sukhum one of the oldest settlements in the world. Around the 6th century BC. on the territory of the resort, Greek travelers from Miletus, at the foot of three mountains, founded a large colony, which they called Dioscuria (now there is an embankment above its remains). In the 1st century, the Romans came here and found the decline and ruin, the new inhabitants built the fortress of Sebastopolis here, which lasted 200 years. Then the Byzantines and Arabs settled here, and in 736 Tskhum became part of the first Abkhazian, then Georgian kingdom, but more than one century will pass before Sukhum becomes a major Black Sea port.
The Turkish segment of the history of Sukhum begins in 1578, when Sukhum-Kale was captured and plundered by the Ottomans. A century and a half later, the city was rebuilt, and the remains of Turkish architectural and historical monuments still remain on its streets. After the Abkhazians recaptured Sukhum from the Turks, the local prince decided to protect the people and in 1810 annexed to Russian Empire their lands.
Having got rid of the Ottoman yoke, Sukhum began to gradually flourish: the city evolved from a small port locality to the center of the province. During the Russian-Turkish war, they again tried to conquer it, but this time to no avail.
A new round in the history of Sukhum began after the revolution, when the city began to deteriorate: hotels, hospitals, schools, a railway station, an institute for subtropics appeared in it; took her first steps tourism infrastructure, monuments were partially repaired, beaches were improved.
After the collapse of the USSR, Sukhum suffered from the Abkhaz-Georgian conflict and for some time went into the shadows from the resort pedestal. Today the city is being revived, and every year it can offer its guests more and more entertainment and a pleasant stay for every taste and budget.
Natural-climatic and weather conditions
The climate of Sukhum is subtropical and humid, the average temperature in the year is +14, the sea warms up in the high season to +28 ... sunny days- not less than 250, the warmest month of the year is August. The weather in Sukhum is dry and hot in summer, and rare but heavy showers occur from possible precipitation. High temperatures are easily tolerated in the resort, thanks to the fresh breeze that blows from the Sukhumi Bay. In winter, sub-zero temperatures are rare, even +4 is a curiosity here, and thick fogs can occasionally be observed.
The comfortable season lasts 7-8 months, but at any time Sukhum is unusually attractive and cozy. In February, when others Black Sea resorts it falls asleep with snow, the weather in Sukhumi is so warm that the city is buried in flowering acacias and mimosa.
The mild climate contributes to the successful acclimatization of flora from all over the world: Japanese banana, agave, Himalayan cedars, Chinese, Australian, African plants and trees have perfectly taken root in this area, many bloom and bear fruit. The total area used for green spaces in Sukhum is more than 760 hectares.
In every yard you can see tangerine and pomegranate trees, feijoa. Fallow deer, deer, raccoons, squirrels and cats live in the mountains of the region, coastal waters are rich in crabs, sea bass, red mullet and stingrays, and mountain rivers are rich in pike perch and trout. From the shore you can watch the hunting of dolphins, which drive shoals of fish in whole flocks.
Sukhum resort
At the end of the 19th century, the World Congress of Doctors, held in Moscow, recognized that one of the cities in which lung diseases are best treated is Sukhum. The sea is the main secret of the healing properties of this place, where every year thousands of people come for recreation. If we add here the ionized air and the presence of healing mud springs in the vicinity, we can safely say that Sukhum is a hospital under open sky, and everyone here is given the opportunity to improve their health and strengthen their body.
Since the city stretches for 20 km along the coast, it boasts a wide coastline, where you do not have to look for a place to relax or huddle surrounded by a large number of tourists. The sea in Sukhumi is clean and transparent, the beaches are pebbly or pebble-sandy with a flat bottom, and the depth suitable for swimming begins 5-8 meters from the water's edge. The main 10 beaches of Sukhum belong to the city, so access to them is open to any traveler who can choose comfortable ones - with umbrellas and sun loungers, or wild, located at a distance and hidden from human eyes. Beaches related to boarding houses, sanatoriums or hotels are paid, however, it will not be difficult for them to sunbathe and swim for little money. Almost everywhere you can rent jet skis, catamarans, mattresses and other water attributes. However, travelers should remember that Abkhazians consider it the height of indecency to appear in bathing suits and short shorts on the streets and in public places.
Sukhum tourist
Sukhumi for tourists is a paradise on earth, where everyone will find something to their liking. Surrounded by mountains, rivers and the sea, the resort offers travelers different types of pastime. Entertainment in Sukhumi is represented by diving, with the possibility of exploring the ruins of an ancient Greek city, sailing on a yacht with sea fishing or tasting local wines and Abkhaz cuisine. Horse riding and cycling are popular, lovers of cultural entertainment can go to the theater or 3-D cinema, spend an evening in one of the restaurants in Sukhum, enjoying the live music of national ensembles.
Since there are no large hypermarkets and shops in the city, it is best to buy products on the market: organic, fresh and tasty fruits, vegetables, herbs (the local tarragon is especially valued), homemade meat, cheeses and drinks can be purchased at the most affordable prices, besides, the locals are not averse to haggling.
In Abkhazia, they believe that Sukhum is not only the administrative capital of the republic, but also a gastronomic one: national dishes are prepared here, which have no equal in the entire Caucasus. In the city, you can taste amazingly delicious hominy, khachapuri boats, baked meat, tender trout with vegetables, washed down with aged Abkhazian wine. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the delicious desserts that can be enjoyed endlessly in numerous coffee shops. There are establishments serving Chinese, Italian, European cuisine in the city.
Accommodation in Sukhum is easy to find even in the middle of summer: numerous boarding houses, guest houses, hotels, estates and private sector You will be warmly welcomed for any length of time. Small private hotels are becoming popular, which provide the same services as large accommodation facilities: children's playgrounds, parking, wellness treatments, transfers, meals.
Attractions Sukhum
In addition to beaches and the sea, sights in the capital of Abkhazia, Sukhumi, are represented by a large set of historical, religious, architectural and natural monuments, so it’s quite difficult to decide what to see in Sukhumi.
The most famous object that will certainly interest the traveler is the Botanical Garden, which contains unique plants from all over the world.
The second most visited is the unique monkey nursery. Founded in 1927 for the study of primates, in its better times numbered 6 thousand individuals, and today the number of animals does not exceed 500. The nursery is also famous for the fact that here, in honor of the victory over dangerous diseases, the world's only monument to a monkey was erected.
In the south-west of the resort is the famous Sukhumi Lighthouse, made in France in the middle of the 19th century. At 7 km from the resort there is a stone Besletsky bridge (sometimes called the bridge of Queen Tamara), which is more than eight hundred years old, but it still has a carrying capacity of 8 tons.
What to see in Sukhumi for a believer? There are many options: the Annunciation Cathedral, the Kaman Church, a synagogue, a Polish church or a Lutheran church. Connoisseurs of antiquities can enjoy the beauty of the Sukhumi fortress, located on the seashore and built by the Romans 19 centuries ago. In the north-east of the city stands Bagrat Castle, built at the end of the 10th century to protect the southern borders.
Sukhumi has its own Great Wall, made of huge boulders fastened with lime mortar. Once its length was 160 km, today only a few loopholes and towers, overgrown with moss and lianas, remain from the fortification.
What to see in Sukhum
Regardless of whether you came to Sukhum for the whole vacation, for a week, or you are passing through here, just 1 day, we will help you choose the most interesting places. There is something to see here, you will find information about each place with us: from opening hours to detailed description with photos. Below is a list the best places in Sukhum, compiled on the basis of the rating and feedback from users of our site. You can also take part in the ranking of places by leaving your review and rating. This will help our future users to choose what to see in Sukhum.
