Pokvesh Church, Abkhazia, Georgia

Among the lush greenery of the village of Pokveshi, in the Ochamchira municipality of Abkhazia, a mysterious story lurks in the ruins of the Pokveshi Church. At present, when the territory of Abkhazia is shrouded in political contradictions and occupation by the Russian Federation, this ancient shrine bears the scars of time and conflict.

Today the stone walls of the church, having collapsed under the influence of time, seem to be trying to preserve the mysterious legends of the past. The surviving corners overgrown with plants remind of the grandeur and beauty of this place in the days of its glory.

The Poques Church was the epitome of medieval craftsmanship, with a majestic semicircular apse facing east, as if calling to the light of a new day. Now she stands as a restless witness to the past, in her ruins explorers would look for clues about the times she lived through.

Although the dressed stone cladding has almost completely disappeared, the remaining rubble and stone blocks, hidden under layers of earth, continue to tell the story of the power and spirituality of the past. Two arches, one of which, on the south side, has retained its pointed shape, as if the embodiment of the greatness of the past.

Although visiting the Poques Church today requires courage and an interest in history, it offers a unique opportunity to plunge into the ancient secrets and mysterious legends that this architectural artifact hides. For those keen to learn more about Georgia's cultural heritage and past, this abandoned beauty is a truly breathtaking adventure.