During the rest in Abkhazia, tourists have a unique opportunity to visit many different sights. One of the favorite places for walks and photo sessions of holidaymakers is Sukhumi Botanical Garden.
The appearance of an oasis in Sukhumi
In 1838, the modern capital of Abkhazia was called Sukhum-Kale, and in the local fortress was a military garrison. At that time, many folk remedies were used to treat soldiers, including medicinal herbs. Chief physician of the garrison of Sukhum - Bagrinovsky - broke a small garden near his own house, in which he grew medicinal plants. The collection of grasses under the open sky attracted the attention of N. N. Raevsky, who served as the commandant of the garrison. Already in 1840, the Sukhum-Kala military botanical garden not only received a new name, but was also taken for state maintenance. Due to the reorganization, the green zone was able to expand its borders. At that time the young Sukhumi Botanical Garden actively cooperated with several similar institutions in St. Petersburg, the famous Nikitsky garden in the Crimea, so the plant collection was regularly replenished.
History of the Botanical Garden in the city of Sukhum
In the second half of the XIX century, Abkhazian lands were often subjected to Turkish raids. The greatest damage to the botanical garden was inflicted in 1853 and 1877. According to eyewitnesses, the enemy conquerors behaved like real barbarians and tried to literally destroy everything in their path. The Sukhumi botanical garden suffered very badly, many valuable specimens of plants were destroyed. However, already in 1894, reconstruction work began. Director of the garden at that time was appointed PE Tatarinov, he personally brought exotic samples from other countries. The next period of decline can be considered the beginning of the twentieth century - the period of wars and revolutions in Russia. However, already in 1926 the All-Union Institute of Plant Production drew attention to the Sukhumi Botanical Garden. In the 80s of the last century, a green oasis in the center of the city of Sukhum could rightly be proud of its vast collection of plants and common landscaping. In 1992-1993 the botanical garden again became a place of military operations. During the Georgian-Abkhaz war, shells exploded in the green zone. Employees of the Botanical Garden claim that at that time approximately 90% of all plants were damaged and destroyed.
The green heart of the Abkhaz capital today
Today in any list of Abkhazian popular tourist attractions the Sukhumi botanical garden is necessarily indicated. Abkhazia is once again proud of its oasis, in which rare plants from all over the world grow. Restorative work was begun immediately after the end of the Georgian-Abkhaz war. Today, more than 5,000 plant species grow in the garden. The local flora is fully represented, representatives of foreign flora, brought from Australia, North America, South-East Asia deserve attention. During the warm season, the garden is literally buried in flowers, but it is not boring here in winter, because some species bloom in the cold months. During the tour, tourists can walk along the bamboo alleys, carefully study the different types of palm trees, admire the succulents brought from the deserts. One of the most unusual attractions of the garden is the lime tree, which today is more than 250 years old. This tree was tried to cut down by the Turks, it was badly damaged during the hurricane, but despite this, it continues to grow and has already reached a height of 20 meters.
Information for tourists: prices, working hours and reviews
The main botanical garden of Abkhazia is located at: Sukhum, D. Gulia Street, possession 22. You can get here on a daily basis from 9.00 to 18.00. If you decide to visit the Sukhumi Botanical Garden, the price of the ticket is sure to please you. Adult visitors have to pay about 200 rubles for the entrance. There are discounts for children, students, pensioners, disabled people and other privileged categories of citizens. Excursion service is free of charge for groups of 10 people. Every year the Botanical Garden in Sukhum is visited by a huge number of tourists. Here you can see many amazing and very beautiful plants. Incredibly beautiful photos are obtained against the background of the riot of greenery and flowers. Today the garden is quite comfortable, tourists can walk along the smooth paths, there are on the territory of an oasis of benches, picturesque bridges and gazebos. According to the holidaymakers who visited this place several times, every year it becomes more interesting. Sukhumi Botanical Garden reviews from tourists are extremely positive. This is a place that is definitely worth a visit!