Akhali Atoni

Akhali Atoni (this name comes from the New Athos Monastery, former Psirtskha) is a city in Gudauti municipality (Abkhazia), in the Colchian Plain.

Akhali Atoni is a coastal resort. From the north, it is protected from the cold winds by the Caucasus Mountains. It has a subtropical climate. Summer is moderately hot here; autumn is long and warm; and winter is warm as well. The average temperature is 14,8°C; in January, it’s 6,4°C; and in August, it's 23,8°C. Annual precipitation is 1600 mm. The relative humidity is 70%. The water temperature in July–August is 22–26 °C, and UV radiation is very high. The area is good for people who have vascular, respiratory, and endocrine diseases. Sanatorium “Abkhazia” functioned here until the 1990s. It had 150 beds dedicated to people with cardio-vascular problems, four tour bases and a resort clinic.

There are numerous important historical monuments of ancient cultures in Akhali Atoni (archeological artifacts from the Bronz, Neolithic, and Antique periods). Furthermore, archeologists found 1st-century fortification (Anakopia) systems in this area and a citadel with towers (on Mount Iveria). A single-façade basilica church (8–9th century) is in the middle of the citadel. Another important structure is the church of Simon Canaanite (9–10th century), restored in the 19th century.

At the moment, Akhali Atoni is on occupied territory.

G. Ushveridze

T. Beradze

T. Sakvarelidze