Description of the attraction
Zhoekvarskoe gorge is one of the most amazing natural and historical monuments of Old Gagra. The gorge is located in the western part of the city, not far from the Gagra fortress. Its length is very long: from Gagarin Square to the source of the Zhoekvara River, which is high in the mountains.
The Zhoekvara gorge was named after the mountain river Zhoekvara. Its name is translated from the Abkhaz language as “12 springs”. In the course of ethnographic research, ancient trails leading to the gorge were found. Most likely, it was along these paths that the Caucasian "Spartans" (the Ubykh people) ascended and descended in ancient times.
The Abaata fortress, which was located not far from the gorge, was constantly raided by the mountaineers. Therefore, the military command of the fortress decided to completely cut down the forest around the place where the only crossing was located. In 1841 a watchtower was erected here. It is worth noting that Danzas, who served in the Gagra regiment at that time, was engaged in the construction of the tower. In historical literature, the watchtower is indicated as the Tower of Marlinsky, with which battles important for the history of Russia are associated. The remains of this dilapidated watchtower can still be seen today.
Zhoekvarskoe gorge is a very interesting and beautiful place that attracts tourists with a picturesque landscape, a magnificent waterfall and a winding mountain river, dense thickets of boxwood, chestnut, yew and other exotic trees. Above the entrance to the Zhoekvarskoe gorge there is a railway going out of one tunnel and going into another. Also there is a railway station called "Gagra".
The proximity of the Zhoekvarsky gorge to boarding houses and sanatoriums made it one of the most popular excursion routes for vacationers.
