13 May 2003, 03:58
Pitsunda
Settlement in Abkhazia on the same cape of the Black Sea coast of Caucasus, in 20 kms to the south from the city of Gagry. A climatic resort and a tourist centre. Favorable conditions for treatment of diseases of respiration organs, frustration of nervous system, anemias. A wide beach of fine sandy. In 1960s a holiday hotel for 3 thousand beds was built. Its ensemble consists of 7 high-altitude buildings located along the Black sea coast (1959-67, architect M.V.Posohin, A.Mndojants, V.A.Svirsky, J.V.Popov, engineer S.J.Shkol'nikov, V.S.Nikolaev). Reserve of relic Pitsunda pine tree (the area about 200 hectares).
Pitsunda has a very old history. On the Pitsunda cape there was an antique and medieval city founded by Greeks and a port of Pitiunt. At the end of 2 - the beginning of 1 centuries it entered the Pontium empire; since the end 1 up to A.D. -the Roman fortress; since the 4 century up to A.D. - one of the centres of christianity on Caucasus; in 4-8 centuries - the important strong point of Byzantium. In the 80s of the 8 century Pitiunt came into the Abkhazian empire, and since the end jf the 10 century joined Georgia. In 14-15 centuries there was a Genoa trading station (Pezonda). In 17-18 centuries Pitsunda was under authority of Turkey, and since the beginning od 19 century joined Russia. By excavations of 1950s the rests of temples (including basils with mosaics on the floor of 4-5 centuries), serf and inhabited constructions, baths were open. To northeast from the ancient city (gorodische) there is a triple-nave dome temple of 10 century (nowadays a museum; frescos of 16 century in nartex).
