Anaklia Fortress (Region of Samegrelo)
Fortress of Anaklia (Georgian: ანაკლიის ციხე) – The fortress is splendidly integrated into the unique natural zone on the Black Sea coast, next to the Inguri River (Georgian: მდინარე ენგური). Anaklia was a heavily fortified port on the Black Sea. It was one of the earliest settlements from the mid-Bronze Age and had a typical Colchian culture. The modern name is derived from the ancient Colchian colony of Heraclea. The fortress has seen many wars, but despite the turbulent events, it has survived until now. During the Russo-Turkish wars the fortress played an important role. Having stood for several centuries, the fortress can still be proud of its sturdy defenses.
The fortress was originally surrounded by a protective wall built of wooden logs. In 1730, the part of the fortress under Turkish occupation was burned down in an attack by freedom-fighting Georgians, and the Turks’ agenda was to rebuild it. The stones necessary for the construction of the castle were brought from Hopa (Georgian: ხოფა), on the ships. The stones of the ruined castle of Rukhi (Georgian: რუხის ციხე) were also used in the construction. The plan of east Georgia castles of the period was used as a model. According to the plan, there was one tower at each corner of the square castle. The towers on the first and second floors had separate entrances from the courtyard. Cannon holes in the outer wall of the southwest rectangular tower have been preserved. The castle is surrounded by a two-tiered wall, the lower tier of which is blank, and the upper tier, at trail level, has openings for small arms fire.
Anaklia village (Georgian: სოფელი ანაკლია), Zugdidi municipality (Georgian: ზუგდიდის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
