Gonio Castle Gates. formerly known Apsaros or Asparunt) was a Roman outpost in Adjara, on the Black Sea, 15 km south of Batumi, at the mouth of the river Chorokhi
Gonio Fortress (Georgia. გონიოს ციხე, formerly known Apsaros or Asparunt) was a Roman outpost in Adjara, on the Black Sea, 15 km south of Batumi, at the mouth of the river Chorokhi.
The village is located 5 kilometers north of the Turkish border. The first mention of the fortress belongs to Pliny the Younger (I century BC. E.). In the II century AD it was a well-fortified Roman city in Colchis.
Later he came under the influence of Byzantium. The name "Gonio" was first mentioned in the report of Trebizond historian Michael Panaretos in the XIV century. For a time there was a place of Genoese trade.
In 1547 Gonio became part of the Ottoman Empire, it was not until 1878, when after the San Stefano treaty Adjara became part of the Russian Empire.
Description attractions Gonio Fortress
Gonio Fortress formerly called Apsaros or Asparunt) was a Roman outpost in Adjara, on the Black Sea, 15 km south of Batumi, at the mouth of the river Chorokhi. The village is located 5 kilometers north of the Turkish border.
The first mention of the fortress belongs to Pliny the Younger (I century BC. E.). In the II century AD it was a well-fortified Roman city in Colchis. Later he came under the influence of Byzantium. The name "Gonio" was first mentioned in the report of Trebizond historian Michael Panaretos in the XIV century. For a time there was a place of Genoese trade. In 1547 Gonio became part of the Ottoman Empire, it was not until 1878, when after the San Stefano treaty Adjara became part of the Russian Empire.
The city was also known for its theater and hippodrome. In addition, the tomb of the Apostle Matthew, one of the twelve apostles is alleged to be in the fortress Gonio. However, the Georgian government currently prohibits digging near the grave. Other archaeological excavations conducted in the fortress, focusing on Roman times.
Gonio is currently experiencing a tourism boom. Many tourists from Tbilisi in the summer months, enjoy the beaches, which are generally regarded as more environmentally friendly than the beaches around Batumi (located 15 km to the north of the fortress).