Ritsa (Big Ritsa) is a mountain lake of glacial-tectonic origin, located in the Western Caucasus, Abkhazia, in the Gudauta district of the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia. According to the administrative division of Georgia, it is located in the Gudauta municipality of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic. It is the largest lake in Abkhazia
Bzyb temple
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- Edited8 August 2024, 01:42
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Description
The Bzyb Temple is a ruined medieval Orthodox church in the village of Bzybta in Abkhazia, in the Gagra district of the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia, according to the administrative division of Georgia - in the Gagra municipality of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic. The temple is located on the right bank of the Bzyb River and is part of the Bzyb fortress complex, dating back to the second half of the 9th or 10th century - the era of the Abkhazian Kingdom. The church is a large cross-domed structure inscribed in the outer rectangle of the walls, with three protruding faceted apses. Only the ruins of the walls, covered with hewn stone blocks, as well as fragments of the ornament have survived. In its architecture, the Bzyb Temple is similar to the Tsandrypsha Temple.
Historical significance
The ruins of the temple are located in the upper part of the destroyed fortress, the lower part of which was once crossed by an old road. The fortress occupied an important strategic position, allowing control over the Bzyb Valley, through which one of the passes to the North Caucasus passed. To the east of the Bzyb Temple, the remains of another old church are visible.
Sights of the surrounding area
The temple is located near the Bzyb Gorge, where the Bzyb River begins. On both sides of the river are the ruins of fortresses and temples, which confirms that at one time the area was lively. In the late feudal era, the gorge belonged to Inal-ipa.
Destruction and restoration
When the railway was built in 1914-1916, part of the structure was destroyed, and the stone was used to install the bridge supports, which can be seen on both banks of the river. The structure itself was never completed.
Tourism
The Bzyb Temple attracts tourists not only with its ruins, but also with its beautiful surroundings, including Lake Ritsa, surrounded by a centuries-old forest. The temple caretaker conducts educational tours, telling about the history and features of the structure. From the hill on which the ruins are located, a view of the gorge with the river opens up.
How to get there
The ruins are located near the resort town of Gagra. You can get there by jeeps, taxis, excursion buses or on foot from the "Bzyb" bus stop. From the bus stop to the temple you need to walk about a kilometer along an old staircase, which is in poor condition.