Attractions and entertainment of Pitsunda and what to see

But here is one of the most significant and well – preserved historical monuments of Abkhazia-the historical and architectural Reserve "great Pitiunt", which includes a temple, A History Museum, the ruins of an ancient city and a dolmen. People come to see it even from other resorts, and it is definitely worth it. Also here you can visit a small private museum and the ruins of an ancient Christian temple of the X century. And in the Church of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called of the 10th century (aka The Pitsunda temple), organ concerts are held every day, before which visitors are given a tour of Chrome.

Another special attraction is the groves of Pitsunda pine, which are found throughout the resort, as well as a small bamboo grove. There is nothing more to see here, and you will have to go on excursions to attractions in other parts of Abkhazia. Group excursions can be easily purchased on the streets from distributors, prices are the same as everywhere in Abkhazia.

The entertainment in Pitsunda is somewhat better. On the Central Beach, the whole complex of traditional resort and beach entertainment is offered, such as banana riding, jet ski rental, catamarans, etc.on the shore for children there are trampolines, inflatable slides, a children's locomotive along the embankment, of course, all for a fee. Adults can go on horseback riding or even on light aircraft, and the whole family can go on a mini-cruise on a motor ship along the shores of Pitsunda, or visit the only dolphinarium in Abkhazia. In the evening, leisure can be diluted with dinner in the restaurant, drink local wine or beer in the bar, take a walk along the embankment. There are no noisy discos and parties even in the very center, you can find only a couple of establishments with pop music and live performance. All of the above is true only for the center of Pitsunda, while in other areas (Agaraki, Molochny, Alkhadzy, etc.) there is practically no entertainment.

The following is a list of attractions in Pitsunda that you can visit yourself, indicating their opening hours, cost, ways to get there. If you are interested in other places of Abkhazia, which will have to be reached by excursion or by private transport, see the entire list of attractions of Abkhazia.

The Great Pitiunt Complex

Pitsunda state historical and architectural Reserve "great Pitiunt" is the main attraction of the resort. Pitiunt-the so-called ancient city on the site of modern Pitsunda, and it is believed that it appeared before our era. The first settlements on this site date back to the IV century BC, and in the I century BC the city was part of the Pontic Kingdom. The complex includes several objects at once, the main of which is the Church of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called of the 10th century. In addition to it, there are ruins of a basilica, an aqueduct, the remains of a bell tower, a chapel, a dolmen brought from the village of Esher. Also in one of the buildings of the monastery is the Museum of the history of Pitsunda, which presents artifacts found during archaeological excavations. Learn more about the Great Pitiunt here.

Church Of The Apostle Andrew The First-Called

The Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Andrew the first-called in Pitsunda or simply the Patriarchal Cathedral of Pitsunda dates from the 10th century, and its construction is attributed to the Georgian King Bagrat III. From the XI to the XV centuries, the cathedral was repeatedly updated, and in the XVII century, due to the threat of attack by the Turks, it was completely abandoned. Restored only in the second half of the XIX century.

The cathedral has very good acoustics, in connection with which in 1975 the German Masters installed an organ here, which works to this day. On certain days, according to the schedule, organ music concerts are held here, which anyone can visit. Learn more about the temple here.

Pitsunda History Museum

The Local History Museum of Pitsunda is part of the Great Pitiunt complex. Located in the building of the monastery of the XIX century. The modest exposition of the museum, consisting of architectural finds, frescoes, icons, paintings tells about the history of the region and the city. Objectively, the museum is very old and unkempt, everything is literally falling apart, but since the cost of visiting it is already included in the ticket to great Pitiunt, then, of course, it is worth going here. Learn more about the museum here.

Ruins Of Pitiunt

This place is also the remains of an ancient city, but do not confuse them with the complex "great Pitiunt" described above. These ruins are located nearby and are actually the site of excavations that seem to be no longer underway. This is an impressive green area, overgrown with grass, shrubs and trees, and bounded by the ancient city walls, or rather what remains of them. The place is in disrepair and nothing special except the remains of the walls you will not see here. There are no paths for walking around the territory, only paths among the grass. But if you are a true lover of Antiquities, perhaps a walk here will give you pleasure. Learn more about the ruins of Pitiunt here.

Ritsa relic National Park

Ritsa relict National Park is the most popular and most visited reserve of Abkhazia. The excursion route through the park, known to most tourists as an excursion to Lake Ritsa, is the most popular among tourists, and almost every vacationer in Abkhazia visits it. The park is located in the southern mountainous part of Abkhazia near Pitsunda. Almost the entire National Park is located in the mountainous part with complex relief, Heights from 100 to 3256 meters, many mountain lakes, rivers, waterfalls, caves, glaciers, Gorges. Usually during a tour of the National Park also you can visit:

• Lake Ritsa
• Malaya Ritsa island
• Blue Lake
• Waterfall of male tears
• Waterfall maiden's tears
• Gega waterfall
• Yupshar gorge
• Bird's beak falls
• Waterfall Milk
• Stalin's dacha

There are also several viewing platforms along the route. More advanced and challenging overnight itineraries may include Valley of the Seven Lakes, Lake Mzy, Auadhara Resort and mineral water source. Read more about Ritsa National Park here.

Organ music concert

As we have already mentioned, one of the entertainment in Pitsunda is a visit to the concert of organ music, which are held inside the Pitsunda temple on the territory of the architectural landmark Great Pitiunt. It is believed that the temple has unique acoustic properties,and therefore in Soviet times in 1975, a German organ was installed here by Alexander Schuke. Of course, you will not see any show during the concerts, because everything takes place in the best tradition of Soviet amateur performance and is very delayed, but, anyway, if you are resting in Pitsunda, this concert is worth visiting. Learn more about the concert here.

Pitsunda Dolphinarium

The Dolphinarium in Pitsunda opened in 2016, and this is the first and so far the only dolphinarium in Abkhazia. The program for him was compiled in Sochi, as well as two dolphins and fur seals participating in the show. Open-air Dolphinarium, shows are held only in the summer. In addition to the show, you can get an unforgettable experience of dolphin therapy (swimming with dolphins in the pool). Learn more about the Dolphinarium here.

Pitsunda airfield

A small aviation flight school operates at a small airfield in Pitsunda. Tourists are invited to fly as passengers on small planes, Seaplanes, helicopters. The airfield is located next to the boxwood Grove boarding house, five kilometers from the center of Pitsunda.

Hetsuriani House Museum

This is the Museum of the private collector Georgi Khetsuriani, who, on his own initiative, collected objects dedicated to the history and Ethnography of Abkhazia in his house all his life. Among the exhibits are traditional Abkhazian household items, models of houses, stuffed animals, etc. The main exhibit of the museum is an old Mercedes car, which was driven by the Prince of Oldenburg, the founder of the resort of Gagra. Also at the museum there is a tavern "Old Mill", rooms are rented to tourists.