Quays of Sukhumi. Embankment of Dioscurov Sukhum Embankment of Dioscurov

Almost a kilometer coastal strip, smoothly turning into; one of the most enjoyable places in town,. There is practically no clear border between the two main embankments of Sukhumi. And there are few differences. Both are lined with neat masonry and replete with slender columns; both overlook the picturesque sea.

The promenade beach is pebble. In the summer season it is full of vacationers. In addition to sun and sea baths, you can take part in various entertainments here: ride on bananas, catamarans and other water transport. By its significance, this embankment together with the Makhadzhirov embankment is considered the "heart" of the Abkhaz capital.

Walking along it, you can see the monuments of history and architecture, government buildings and other attractions. From the land side, the embankment is surrounded by a lush coniferous park and shrubs that bloom in the month of March. On the same side you can see the colorful ancient buildings of Sukhumi, which are at least a hundred years old.

One of the most noticeable objects here is the old, abandoned Ferris wheel. Such an original name at the embankment appeared in honor of one of the former names of the city. More than two thousand years ago, modern Sukhumi was called Dioskuriada. You can get to the coastline on foot from Victory Avenue.

Attractions photo: Dioskurov Embankment

Dioskurov embankment is a long road that smoothly passes into the Mahadzhirov embankment. In fact, there is no clear boundary and differences between them, because both are paved with masonry and decorated with beautiful columns, each of them offers a magnificent view of the sea.

Walking along the promenade, you can not only admire the sea, but also look at the architecture of the city, because on its other side are old, colorful houses that are more than 100 years old. Also here you can see the old Ferris wheel, which is very rusty and has been inactive for a long time. A wonderful decoration of the embankment is a beautiful park with original coniferous plants and palm trees, whose presence here creates a wonderful atmosphere. The street got its name from the ancient city of Dioskuriada, which was destroyed more than 2000 years ago.

On warm summer evenings, there is no better and more romantic place in Sukhum than on the illuminated promenade of Dioskurov.

Mahajirov Embankment

The embankment of Makhadzhirov (ethnic Abkhazians who were forcibly evicted by the imperial government to the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century) is the seaside promenade, one of the most picturesque places in the city.

The embankment was built at the beginning of the twentieth century. The oldest buildings on the embankment are the shipping company and the former Rossiya Hotel. Here in 1925 was Sergei Yesenin.

It is worth starting your journey with this embankment, which tells visitors in more detail about the history of the city. It is not surprising that there are many hotels, restaurants and cafes on the promenade that differ in the fantasies of their former owners. White-stone houses, interesting balconies and verandas, Venetian brick mansions together create an original look of Sukhumi embankment.

In May 2010, a monument to the poet Bagrat Shinkuba was erected on the embankment.

This is a railway station built in 1951. After the war of 1992-1993, traffic in the Sukhum station was completely stopped. Five years ago, Russian forces carried out restoration work. The railway started working again, but the old station is not functioning.

Minibuses from Gagra, Pitsunda and New Athos stop here. And here it is, the first impression.

Near the station the skeleton of the former bus station

Bullet holes

Bright mosaic and an abandoned building gaping with window openings

And it used to be a balcony

It looks like an office building. Cleaned inside, apparently preparing for recovery.

This is the building outside

UPD: from here it became known that this is the burned-out building of the former Government House. The grand building was built in the 1960s and was burned during the fighting during the liberation of Sukhum in late September 1993.

This house stands on a street that leads towards the market and the sea. That is, from Eshba Street to the right.

As it looks like Abkhazia, they raked their own corner, but there is no way to grow grass around ...

The center of the universe :) all minibuses go there, all landmarks point to it, life revolves around the market!

Doesn’t resemble anything?))

And here it is, the sea!

Embankment Dioskurov. There is also the Makhadzhirov embankment, about it later.

Beach. Impression somehow does not contribute to relaxation and rest.
Although I do not argue that after a few days the look is somewhat blurred and you don’t notice much.

Inactive ferris wheel. Reminded me Pripyat.
For some reason, the thought immediately came to my mind that someday it would finally rust and collapse ...

These are the fruits that fell from the tree. I wonder what it's called?

Some photos from Dioskurov embankment

The remains of Soviet soldiers - the defenders of the Caucasus from the Nazi invaders in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 are buried here. Worship their memory! - it is written on a pedestal.

Sukhum beach

From the next entry, we will continue along the Dioskurov embankment and wrap up on the Makhadzhirov embankment

There was an ancient Greek settlement called Dioskuriada. Over time, the sea swallowed everything that was left of the Dioscuriada. But the story of Sukhum keeps a memory of its predecessors, naming some sights in the city in their honor.

Features of the Dioskurov Embankment

One of these toponyms is preserved in the name of the unique architectural landmark of the city, Dioskurov embankment. Its length is only one kilometer, in fact, it smoothly passes into the promenade of Makhadzhir. There is no clear border between them, stone pavement, decoration with columns, stunning sea views are inherent in both.

Along the coast along the paved path is a pebble beach with all the attributes of landscaped beaches. In summer, it is crowded with vacationers, the beach service works fine, there is a rental of equipment, riding services on a banana, catamarans. Admission is free, but you will have to pay for entertainment.

Park along the promenade

On the other hand from the embankment of Dioskurov is a green zone, planted with palm trees and conifers. In the midst of a riot of subtropical greenery stands an abandoned Ferris wheel, creating a slightly sad mood, and some causing nostalgic emotions about the Soviet era. The park contains ancient Abkhazian houses, some of them more than a hundred years old. They are also a local attraction of sorts.

Makhadzhirov Embankment: Brekhalovka and Narta

From sad to cheerful.

Mahajirov Embankment  - This is one of the most popular gathering places for the local population at any time of the year and in any weather.

There are a large number of restaurants and bars. Here the girls of Sukhumi hold a fashion show every evening, and the guys come in their chic cars and

By the way about   Brekhalovka. If you were on the embankment of Sukhum and did not drink coffee here, then you were not in Sukhum. Lyokha and Khachik (it’s more common to call them) for many years, every day, they brew coffee in the sand called here. At half past six in the morning, while I am seeing my tenth dream, they are already standing at their workplace and delighting the residents with the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

For those who visit this place extremely often, they came up with an interesting idea. The “chosen ones” are invited to bring their own cup there, in which they will serve coffee, so as not to drink each time from disposable tableware. Not everyone deserves this, as I was told. But, praise, I was already offered to have my cup. Soon my cup will appear there, and you will find out later how it will look.

And more recently, Lavrov himself drank coffee at Brekhalovka when he flew to Sukhum on a working visit. Near the place where coffee is brewed there are tables where a huge number of men are always going to play different board games: cards, dominoes and others. At these tables and discusses all the pressing problems of this country.

After Brekhalovka, according to tradition, we set off. This is a patsha where national dishes are prepared. It is here that the most delicious boats in Abkhazia (or, in our opinion, Adjarian khachapuri). They are just some kind of magic! I don’t know what they add there, but conscience will not allow me not to finish eating. Do not be surprised when you see the word “Anasha” in the menu. This is not at all what you thought. This is just a cucumber.

Everything else is being prepared there at the highest level. But I warn you right away: do not wait for service, as in the best restaurants in Russia. Not! You will have not the most brilliant plates, a long wait for the table to be cleaned, and all sorts of not very pleasant little things, but ... these are all trifles and you should not pay attention to them. We are for the positive!

Mahajirov Embankment: Attractions

At the very beginning of the Makhadzhirov Embankment, you can see the beautiful building of the Presidential Administration and the National Assembly of Abkhazia. The territory of the building is guarded, no one is allowed to enter.

Also next to the cafe Brekhalovka is a colonnade. It is not as famous as the colonnade in Gagra, but no less attractive. Here you will always find a large concentration of Abkhazian artists who sell their work and are engaged in creativity.

In addition, there are three well-known Sukhumi hotels on the Makhadzhir embankment: Hotel Abkhazia, Hotel Oriental and Hotel Ritsa.

Hotel Abkhazia has long been a visiting card of the capital. It was built in 1935, but, unfortunately, was badly damaged in a fire in 1985. At the moment, the building has not been restored.

On the left side of the hotel is adjacent to the Abkhazia Hotel Oriental Hotel, which was built at the beginning of the twentieth century, in 1908 and was the property of the Georgian merchants Gvalia and Chavchanidze. In 1932, it was renamed the Tkvarcheli Hotel. Unlike the Abkhazia hotel, this hotel has been restored and restored. there is another oldest hotel Ritsa, built in 1914. It was originally called San Remo. It burned down during the hostilities, but was completely restored and functions as a top-class hotel with beautiful sea views.

Book a room in Hotel Ritsa.

Between the Abkhazia Hotel and the Nartaa Restaurant, there is another historical building, which was designed by the architect Anisimov for the merchant Tsiripov in 1901. At the moment, this mansion houses a hotel and a restaurant called White Sail.

We go further. On the makhadzhirov embankment  You will notice sculptures of a boy with a chicken, a girl with a gramophone, an old man and a writing penguin. All these sculptures are the work of the talented sculptor Arkhip Labahua. Each of the sculptures is a character from the books of Fazil Iskander - the great Abkhaz writer and poet. These sculptures so perfectly fit into the mood of this city and give the embankment even greater comfort and warmth. Read more about the work of Arkhip Labahua.

By the way, you can take a walk along the Makhadzhir embankment in company.

Makhadzhirov embankment on the map

The Makhadzhirov embankment originates from the intersection of Zvanba and Chitanava streets and ends with a smooth transition to the Dioskurov Embankment. The length of the embankment is 1250 meters.

Housing near the promenade of the Mahajirs

There are several hotels and guest houses near the Mahadzhirov embankment. The prices here, of course, are above average - but there are many restaurants nearby, a promenade area and a beautiful view of Sukhumi Bay.

Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the remoteness of the beaches - there is no suitable place for swimming near the Mahadzhirov embankment. The nearest city beach is located on the promenade of Dioskurov.