Unique sights of Adjara. The Byzantine fortress of Peter. History, location and useful information.

There are still discussions and disputes about the history of the fortress. In 1908, a rather rich tomb was discovered on the territory of the fortress city. The found treasures confirm that the fortress city was the residence of the Eristavi governor or ruler in ancient Georgia.

According to the writings of Procopius of Caesarea, the settlement here existed much earlier, back in the 1st century. Initially, the fortress city of Petra was a settlement of the Laz (one of the Kartvelian tribes in the west of ancient Georgia).

The fortress on the site of the settlement was built in 532 by an official of the Emperor Justinian. The goal is very simple — to protect possessions from manholes (local population) and a little in order to rob them.

In 535, Justinian ordered to rebuild and strengthen the fortress for use for strategic state purposes. The fortress was protected from attacks from the territory of the Colchian plain.

She was very disturbing to the Persians and irritated the locals. By agreement with the Kolkhas, the Persians captured the fortress in 542. They dug under one of the towers and started a fire, thus destroying the tower.

But the Persians did not rule here for long. Justinian decided to return the fortress to his rule. In 549, the Byzantine troops went on a campaign against the Persians. They won the war, and then they themselves destroyed the fortress so that enemy troops could no longer use it.

The further period of the fortress' history is little known. It is clear that it was used.

Later, in the 17th century, when the territory belonged to the Ottoman Empire, there were Turkish fortifications. This is evidenced by the superstructures of the walls of that period, stone embrasures for guns. During the Crimean War, there were 25 cannons here.

Only in 1878, after Adjara passed under the rule of the Russian Empire, the fortress has lost such an important strategic importance for more than a thousand years.

In Soviet times, a lemonary was equipped on the slopes of the cliff. Structures made of concrete and glass ran in steps from the bottom up. There are paths between them.

Now, of course, there are no lemons, the remains of concrete pillars are covered with ivy. The lush vegetation running in tiers along the cliff is clearly visible from the road.

It is very pleasant to walk along these peculiar alleys. Sometimes they are compared to one of the wonders of the world — the gardens of Semiramis.

Since 1989, Petra-Tsikhe has been officially declared a historical and architectural museum-reserve. But until recently, it practically did not operate in this status, even the entrance fee was not always taken. Although there is a brief information about it on the website of the museums of Georgia.

The fortress is not yet included in the popular tourist routes in Adjara. But if you are interested in historical monuments, and you decide what to see in Georgia, do not drive past Petra. This place is filled with antiquity.

The remains of walls 2-3 meters high, made of bricks and stones, have been preserved. The ruins of the brick semicircular tower date back to about the 17th century, this is the period of the Ottoman Empire.

Inside the fortress city, the remains of the palace, soldiers' living quarters, outbuildings are visible. The ancient food storage is curious. It is half sunk into the ground, thick walls allowed to keep cool for a long time.

A well with a depth of up to 20 meters has been preserved. Archaeologists partially cleaned it, but did not reach the water.

A large clay bowl was found in the ground near the ruins of the dwelling. Perhaps it used to store drinking water. Or maybe it's the remains of the oven in which bread was baked.

The remains of early medieval basilicas and baths have been found in the elevated part of the ancient city. They were part of a single architectural ensemble surrounding a triangular square. The bathhouse was built in the late Antique style, it has a preserved portico.

The ruins of the three-nave basilica of the 6th-7th century are of the greatest interest. Practically only the foundation remains of it and the exterior cladding is visible. The church in Petra was one of the centers of the diocese of the Western Georgian kingdom, the episcopal see was located here.

Recently, archaeologists have found the remains of the walls of an older church that stood on the site of the basilica. Fragments of ceramic products were also found.

Now on the site of the ancient stone altar there is a kind of iconostasis, there are several icons, there are lamps and candles. And the highest point of the fortress is crowned with a cross.

Archaeological excavations are continuing. 95 silver coins, household items, weapons dating back to the 6th century were found.

From the edge of the cliff above the sea, there are charming views of the surrounding area. We can say that these are the most beautiful places in Georgia. Sometimes wedding photo shoots are arranged here.

Gradually, the situation is changing. An information center is being built, tracks are being repaired. According to Georgian scientist G. Tavamaishvili, there are plans to build a transparent bridge for tourists over the basilica so that all the details can be considered.

According to official data, the fortress is open to the public every day, except Monday, from 10:00 to 18:00.

Admission costs 3 lari (approximately 0.9 $) for adults and 1 lari (0.3 $) for schoolchildren.

Not far from the fortress city are:

- Mtirala National Park;

- Queen Tamara bridge;

- Tsitsinatel Amusement Park;

- music park in Shekvetili;

- miniature park;

- Gonio Fortress;

- Batumi Botanical Garden.