Sukhumi Botanical Garden: the green heart of the capital of Abkhazia

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

During their holidays in Abkhazia, tourists have a unique opportunity to visit a wide variety of attractions. One of the favorite places for walks and photo shoots of vacationers is the Sukhum Botanical Garden.

The appearance of an oasis in Sukhum

In 1838, the modern capital of Abkhazia was called Sukhum-Kale, and there was a military garrison in the local fortress. At that time, many folk remedies were used to treat soldiers, including medicinal herbs. The head physician of the Sukhumi garrison, Bagrinovsky, set up a small garden near his own house, in which he grew medicinal plants. The open-air collection of herbs attracted the attention of N. N. Raevsky, who served as the commandant of the garrison. Already in 1840, the Sukhum-Kalsky military botanical garden not only received a new name, but was also taken on state support. Thanks to the reorganization, the green zone was able to expand its boundaries. At that time, the young Sukhumi Botanical Garden actively cooperated with several similar institutions in St. Petersburg, the famous Nikitsky Garden in the Crimea, thanks to whichplant collection was regularly replenished.

The history of the botanical garden in the city of Sukhum

In the second half of the 19th century, the Abkhazian lands were often subjected to Turkish raids. The greatest damage to the botanical garden was inflicted in 1853 and 1877. According to eyewitnesses, the enemy conquerors behaved like real barbarians and tried to literally destroy everything in their path. The Sukhum Botanical Garden was badly damaged, many valuable plant specimens were destroyed. However, already in 1894 restoration work began. P. E. Tatarinov was appointed director of the garden at that time; he personally brought exotic specimens from other countries. The next period of decline can be considered the beginning of the 20th century - the period of wars and revolutions in Russia. However, already in 1926, the All-Union Institute of Plant Growing drew attention to the Sukhum Botanical Garden. In the 80s of the last century, a green oasis in the center of the city of Sukhum could rightfully be proud of its extensive collection of plants and general livability. In 1992-1993, the botanical garden again became the site of hostilities. During the Georgian-Abkhaz war, shells exploded on the territory of the green zone. The botanical garden staff claims that approximately 90% of all plants were damaged and destroyed at that time.

The green heart of the Abkhazian capital today

Today, in any list of Abkhazian popular tourist attractions, the Sukhum Botanicalgarden. Abkhazia is again proud of its oasis, where rare plants from all over the world grow. Restoration work began immediately after the end of the Georgian-Abkhazian war. Today, more than 5,000 plants grow in the garden. The local flora is fully represented, representatives of foreign flora, brought from Australia, North America, Southeast Asia, deserve attention. Throughout the warm season, the garden is literally immersed in flowers, but it is not boring here even in winter, because some species bloom in the cold months. During the tour, tourists can walk along the bamboo alleys, carefully examine the various types of palm trees, admire the succulents brought from the deserts. One of the garden's most unusual sights is the linden tree, which is over 250 years old today. The Turks tried to cut down this tree, it was also badly damaged during the hurricane, but despite this, it continues to grow and has already reached a height of 20 meters.

Tourist information: prices, opening hours and reviews

The main botanical garden of Abkhazia is located at the address: Sukhum, D. Gulia street, property 22. You can get here on a tour daily from 9.00 to 18.00. If you decide to visit the Sukhum Botanical Garden, the ticket price will definitely please you. Adult visitors must pay an entrance fee of about 200 rubles. There are discounts for children, students, pensioners, the disabled and other preferential categories of citizens. Guided tours are free for groups of 10 or more people. Annually the botanical garden in the city of Sukhumvisited by a huge number of tourists. Here you can see many amazing and very beautiful plants. Against the backdrop of a riot of greenery and flowers, incredibly beautiful photos are obtained. Today, the garden is quite landscaped, tourists can walk along smooth paths, there are benches, picturesque bridges and gazebos on the territory of the oasis. According to vacationers who have visited this place several times, every year it becomes more and more interesting here. The Sukhum Botanical Garden reviews from tourists are extremely positive. This is a must visit place!