Kelasuri Wall
Kelasuri Wall, the Great Wall of Abkhazia, a defensive structure. It stood on one of the important roads leading from the North Caucasus to Western Georgia, which ran directly along the Black Sea coast. In Georgian historical writing, in the work of Juansher, the “Wall of Klisuri” is mentioned in connection with the events of the 8th century, which protected the roads leading from the North Caucasus to the Black Sea coast. From the end of the 8th century, after the formation of the Kingdom of Abkhazia, the wall lost its importance and gradually collapsed. Its remains have not been preserved.
The system of fortifications (total length 60 km) built by Levan II Dadiani in the 17th century to stop the invasions of Abkhazian feudal lords has been preserved. The wall starts from the mouth of the Kelasuri River, follows the left bank of the river, then turns northeast and continues from the southern side of the foot of the Panavi ridge into the gorge of the Ghalidzgi River. The Kelasuri Wall consists of separate fortifications connected by towers (a system of towers, sometimes separate towers and walls). Only the narrow passes from the Abkhazian side, Dali and Tsebeldi, are fortified with a fence. According to the measures specially introduced by Levan II Dadiani, each feudal lord (clerical or secular) was obliged to guard the Kelasuri Wall with his horsemen for 1 month a year. After the death of Levan II Dadiani, the Kelasuri Wall was neglected. When the power of the Abkhaz feudal lords spread to the Enguri River, the Kelasuri Wall lost its function.
T. Beradze
