Abkhazia, Anakopiyskaya fortress (New Athos): description, history

Since ancient times, there were many defensive structures on the territory of Abkhazia. However, it is this fortress, located in the city of Novy Afon, which is considered the most well-preserved monument of history.

The majestic Anakopi fortress, whose coordinates - 43 ° 5'40 "N 40 ° 48'29" E was built on the top of Mount Iverskaya. In translation from the Abkhaz language its name means "rugged". And the Greeks called the fortress Trachea, which translates as "stony rock", so do not be surprised if in some tourist guides you will find the name Trachea-Anakopia.

Anakopiyskaya fortress: history

This land has long been attacked by aggressive neighbors. Military-defensive structures have long been famous for Abkhazia. Anakopiyskaya fortress was intended to strengthen the borders and protect against enemies. In the first centuries of our era, the Transcaucasus, more precisely, its western part, was under the rule of the Romans. In the III-IV centuries, the nomad tribes of the Huns, Goths, and also the North Caucasian highlanders invaded Colchis.

The forces of the Romans, located here during this period, are used to control and subordinate the local population and protect the peripheral possessions of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) empire. Abazgi and lazy had to guard passes and passes from the north. This was in the interests of the local population.

To carry out such a defense, fortresses and other military-strategic structures were required. At the turn of the early Middle Ages and ancient times, several serious fortifications appeared on the territory of Colchis, among which Anakopia took a special place.

Anakopiyskaya fortress was built in IV-V centuries, but, unfortunately, today we can no longer see the beautiful city-fortress, as it was in the distant past. Merciless time, bloody wars with brutal massacres, which for a long time this structure was a lot, did their job.

Description of the Anakopi fortress

Abkhazia was attractive to many neighboring peoples. The Anakopi fortress became a formidable defensive structure, occupying a rather large area - 70 thousand square meters. It had two defensive lines (main lines), as well as an external defense line.

The Anakopi Mountain became the site for the construction of the first line, which was a citadel 83 meters long and 37 meters wide. I must say that for the time of construction it was a very powerful structure. Anakopiyskaya fortress, whose height was more than five meters, and the thickness of the walls exceeded a meter, frightened off many wishing to seize these lands.

The main defensive function was assigned to the Roman tower, from its upper positions, the sea and land areas were perfectly visible. The power of the fortress city grew with time: in the IV century it was already considered the largest city of Abazgia, and already in the 7th century it became the residence of the Abkhaz rulers, the spiritual and political capital of the country.

Tower and walls

The tower, as well as the fortress walls of the second line, were presumably built in the 7th century. The tower is made of brick, mortar and white stone. Builders used the technique of Byzantines and Romans, which consisted of an intermittent masonry of bricks with white stone.

The two lower floors of the structure date back to the 7th century, and the upper superstructures appeared much later - in the 11th-12th centuries. Seven towers were located every sixty meters and protruded from the walls. During excavations in the area of the second line, objects and objects of historical value were discovered. Among them - the remains of the temple hall type, the oven, which burned lime, eleven burials, performed in accordance with the Christian rites.

Goal

Anakopiyskaya fortress (Novy Afon) had the main gate, which was protected by a round tower. They were built of three limestone plates, and they were located quite high above the ground. To get into the fortress, it was necessary to use an attached wooden staircase.

Gate Tower

This structure is remarkable in that its location and shape allowed it to fire at an angle of almost 290 °. On the second floor there are five loopholes, which are arranged in special niches, and an arched entrance. The fighting power of this tower was due to the fact that it reliably protected the approaches to the gate.

East Tower

According to the researchers, in the early thirties of the XI century, Tsarevich Dmitry and princess Alda took refuge in Anakopia, who surrendered the citadel to the Greek garrison. Thus, the city-fortress Anakopiya and the adjacent land for a long time passed into the possession of the Byzantines.

It was at this time that the eastern tower appeared in the fortress. It served as the main command and observation post. It was the last line of defenders, in case of the fall of the fortress. The tower does not have architectural delights - everything is subordinated to its main functional purpose. It is built of limestone shrub blocks of rather large sizes, which are cemented with lime-gravel-sandy mortar. At the base, the thickness of the walls is two meters, at the highest point - 1.6 meters. Above, an observation deck was created. Today, the eastern tower after the reconstruction is open to tourists.

Well

Many guests from the countries of the former USSR are attracted to Abkhazia. Anakopiyskaya fortress is included in almost all tourist routes. Pilgrims here draw a well with life-giving Anakopian water. It closely adjoins the temple. It is believed that this hollowed out rock in the rock is inexhaustible, and the water that fills it is life-giving and healing.

The well is carved into the rock and lined with limestone. In ancient times rainwater was collected from the roofs, and today water comes through the appearance of condensation on the cold walls of the "bath".

The waterway to this wonder-well was built in ancient times by the builders of the fortress. He acted on the principle of communicating vessels. Presumably, such a conduit could be held in a ditch dug on the slopes of the Iberian and Athos Mountains. He passed through the valley between them under the river, and was later disguised as land.

Temple of Theodore Tiron

Many ancient religious buildings are famous for Abkhazia. The Anakopi fortress had its own temple, which was located on the top of the Anakopiisky mountain. The church was built in the 6th-7th centuries in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos. From the chronicles of the XI century, which describe the battle with the Arabs at the walls of Anakopia in the thirties of the VIII century, it follows that the Anakopia icon of the Most Holy Theotokos possessed a miraculous power that protected the inhabitants of the fortress.

There is an assumption that there was another temple on the slopes of the mountain, but it did not survive. In the XI century, the church was rebuilt and consecrated in the name of Theodore Tiron. This is confirmed by an epigraphic monument discovered in the fortress. Abkhazia (Anakopiyskaya fortress) still attracts scientists and historians. In our time, the remains of the temple buildings of the fortress of different times, due to the lack of comprehensive large-scale architectural and archaeological studies, written testimonies, have not yet been fully explored. In this regard, there are numerous scientific disputes, but all experts agree that the church has been rebuilt many times.

Scientists believe that the latest changes in the temple were conducted by monks of the New Athos Monastery. It happened in the beginning of XX century. He cleared the rubble of the southern side-chapel of the cathedral, as well as adjacent premises (on the east side). His appointment is not yet clear.

Inside the temple was built a small chapel. In addition, minor changes have affected the layout of the adjacent territory. Some sections of the walls were completed.

Facade

The facade of this early Christian building was decorated with only one slab on which were depicted three crosses. It was located under the arch. Three crosses symbolized the Great Trinity. Some researchers believe that these are the symbols of Christ, John the Baptist and the Mother of God.

Reconstruction

In 2008, the reconstruction of the fortress was completed. As a result, the watchtower was restored, an observation deck appeared on it. True, many tourists believe that after the restoration works the tower began to resemble a replica. The slopes of the Apsara Mountain and the hiking trail leading to the top were listed in order.

How to get there?

We hope that you are interested in the Anakopia fortress (Abkhazia). How to get here? Quite simply. Today, asphalt road leads from New Athos to the fortress. Landmark for travelers is a stop in the form of a huge shell, by the way, it is called "Shell".

Near it, turn towards the Iberian Mountains, and follow the asphalted serpentine past the famous Novy Afon cave. Then turn to Chanba Street and continue on up the hill. Soon you will see a viewing platform and a car parking with a seating area. Here you can leave the car, buy tickets at the ticket office and join the excursion group. A professional guide will accompany you on an excursion that lasts an hour and a half.