The Chapel of the Apostle Matthias is located on the territory of the Gonio fortress, near Batumi. Dedicated to the Apostle Matthias, who took the place of Judas Iscariot after his betrayal, the chapel attracts attention for its historical significance. According to legends, inside the walls of the Gonio fortress there is the tomb of the Apostle Matthias, however, this cannot be confirmed due to the Georgian government’s ban on excavating graves in the fortress.
The village of Gonio, where the chapel is located, is located on the picturesque shore of the Black Sea. The peculiarity of the local beach is its pebble surface; there are no sandy beaches in Gonio.
The Chapel of the Apostle Matthias is of interest to historians, archaeologists and pilgrims who associate visiting this place with spiritual and scientific quest. Lovers of history and culture will also find visiting this place useful to get acquainted with one of the unique pages in the history of the Adjara region and the wider geographical area. A visit to the chapel can be combined with a walk through the ancient Gonio fortress, adding to the experience of traveling through places filled with centuries-old history.









