Gonio-Apsaros Fortress

გონიო-აფსაროსის ციხე

A well-preserved Roman-era fortress near the Turkish border, one of the oldest fortifications in Georgia. Its massive walls and archaeological site are linked to legends of the Apostle Matthias's grave.

Things to do

• Walk the Roman walls — Explore the massive rectangular fortifications with their 18 surviving towers, built in the 1st-2nd centuries AD as a key Roman military outpost.
• Visit the on-site museum — See excavated Roman coins, ceramics, jewelry, and artifacts that tell the story of the fortress from Roman through Ottoman times.
• See the Apostle Matthias grave site — Pay respects at the spot within the fortress traditionally believed to hold the grave of the Apostle Matthias, chosen to replace Judas.
• Tour the archaeological excavation zone — Wander the interior where ongoing digs have revealed a Roman bathhouse, water supply system, and residential quarters.
• Relax on Gonio pebble beach — Head to the nearby Black Sea shore with its clean pebble beach just a short walk from the fortress gates.
• Day trip from Batumi — Combine the fortress with a scenic 15 km drive south from Batumi along the coast toward the Turkish border.

Food to try

• Adjaruli khachapuri — The regional boat-shaped cheese bread topped with a runny egg and butter, invented in nearby Adjara.
• Borano — A rich Adjarian dish of melted sulguni cheese cooked in clarified butter, best eaten hot with bread.
• Achma — A layered, lasagna-like cheese pastry unique to the Adjara region, soft and buttery inside.
• Fresh Black Sea fish — Grilled or fried local catch served at seaside cafes near Gonio beach.
• Sinori — An Adjarian comfort dish of thin dough layered with nadughi cottage cheese and melted butter.

Local customs & good to know

• Buy tickets at the entrance — The fortress and museum charge a modest entry fee, and the site is open to visitors seasonally with longer summer hours.
• Respect the border zone — You are very close to the Turkish frontier, so carry ID and avoid straying into restricted areas near the border.
• Dress modestly at the grave site — The Apostle Matthias grave draws pilgrims, so behave respectfully and quietly in that part of the fortress.
• Bring sun protection — The open archaeological grounds offer little shade, so a hat, water, and sunscreen are wise in summer.

Nearby

• Batumi — 10 km
• Batumi Botanical Garden — 18 km
• Mtirala National Park — 30 km
• Kobuleti — 32 km