Anakopia Fortress

Anakopia Fortress is one of the main historical landmarks of Abkhazia, standing in New Athos on top of Anakopia (Iveria) Hill, 344 metres high. This ancient stronghold is considered the most completely preserved fortification on the entire eastern coast of the Black Sea, and the summit offers some of the best views of the Black Sea and the surrounding area.

History

The first defensive structure on the hilltop appeared as early as the 2nd–4th centuries, and the main fortress walls were built at the end of the 7th century with Byzantine support, as Byzantium was concerned about the expansion of the Arab Caliphate (ru.wikipedia.org, "Anakopia Fortress").

In 736–737 the fortress withstood a siege by a 60,000-strong Arab army led by Marwan ibn Muhammad. A garrison of about 3,000 warriors — Kartlians and Abkhazians — repelled every assault; according to the chronicles, most of the Arab army died in an epidemic that broke out in their camp (en.wikipedia.org, "Anakopia Fortress"). This victory was a turning point in the region's history: Anakopia was the capital of Abasgia in the 6th–8th centuries and then of the Abkhazian Kingdom, until the capital moved to Kutaisi in the early 9th century (bigenc.ru, "New Athos").

As early as the 3rd–4th centuries the site had craft workshops producing jewellery and tools; today traces of ancient burials, weapons and everyday objects are still found here, which makes the fortress interesting not only to tourists but to archaeologists as well.

Architecture

The fortress covers an area of about 450 × 150 metres and had two lines of defence. Walls up to 60 cm thick are built of tightly fitted massive limestone blocks (en.wikipedia.org). Its towers draw particular attention: a round gate tower allowed defenders to fire across almost 300 degrees, while a four-tiered eastern tower about 16 metres high, built in the 11th century, served as a lookout post and the last line of defence. The southern wall included several towers spaced along its length, which strengthened the fortress's defences. In the 14th century a Genoese watchtower was added to the site (ru.wikipedia.org).

The fortress's main tower was restored in 2008 and today again serves as a viewing platform (en.wikipedia.org).

The Well

Inside the fortress a well has survived — a stone cistern about 5 × 3.5 metres and roughly 68 cubic metres in volume, presumably built back in antiquity to store water in case of a siege (ru.wikipedia.org). The source that feeds it has not been established with certainty, and the hill itself has no obvious aquifers, which is why the well is still considered one of the fortress's main mysteries among tourists and researchers alike.

The Climb and the Views

The climb to the fortress is itself part of the experience. The path passes the New Athos Monastery, through scenic avenues and wooded stretches, gradually opening onto ever wider panoramas. From the summit you can see the sea, the town, the mountain slopes and the dense greenery typical of the region.

Today the fortress is partially restored but keeps its atmosphere of age and authenticity. It is a good destination for anyone interested in history or archaeology who wants to see one of the most significant fortresses in the Caucasus.