Architecture

Ajara has long taken an active part in Georgia’s material development. Proof to this are the remains of fortresses, shrines and arched bridges preserved in the territory. Since Ajara is a coastal region it has always required strengthening or defensive constructions. Included among these are the Gonio-Apsaros fortress, and the Petra and Khikhani fortresses. On the eastern entrance to Batumi, on the left bank of the Korolistskali River stands the Batumi or Queen Tamar fortress. Archaeological excavations are conducted there annually. There are many late medieval fortresses as well, including Gulebi, Zendidi, Begoshvilebi, Kaviani, and Chkhutuneti. During the Ottoman rule many churches were destroyed, and the Skhalta Monastery in Khulo is distinguished among other preserved ones.
 

After becoming a seaport, Batumi saw a large building boom, including the Virgin Nativity Cathedral (the former Catholic church), the post office, the seaside boulevard colonnade, the house of architecture, and the summer theatre. European architects also participated in city planning. The old city is distinguished by two and three-storey houses differing from one another in architectural style thus making the whole appearance of the city interesting. The same tendency can be seen in the architecture of modern Batumi. Samples of modern architecture, including the Alphabet Tower, Hall of Justice, the Radisson Blu Hotel and new apartment buildings as well as various pieces of sculpture are distinguished by their originality and modernity. 
 

Arched Bridges

Ajarian stone arched bridges are significant monuments of ancient Georgian material culture and Georgian engineering art. They surprise viewers with their small size and precision of construction.  According to the latest research, about 25 of these arched bridges date from the Queen Tamar era in the 13^th century. According to scholars, earlier construction of the bridges is connected to two periods: first the 4^th – 6^th centuries and second the 7^th – 8^th centuries. Strategically convenient locations on the trade-caravan roads required protection and proper care of the roads. 

Earth Bridge

The Earth Bridge is constructed on a narrow rocky location on the Chanchakheti River. The pier of the bridge is erected on natural rock and its height from the water surface is 4.64 m, the length of the pier is 1.16 m, and the width is 2.62 m. Piers support the circular arch that is built with refined stones. The arch construction is the same at the head and heel and comprises half a meter. The arch of the bridge consists of two parts, the construction itself and a fence.  

Dandalo Bridge

Dandalo Bridge is located in the village of Dandalo, near the Batumi-Khulo road. The road is distinguished by a thin arch and exquisite proportions. It is built on lime mortar rock of volcanic origin. The piers are erected on a rock on which scaffold holes have been preserved. The Dandalo arched bridge is one of the best examples of arched bridges in Georgia. In 2008 restoration was conducted on the bridge.

Makhuntseti Bridge

Makhuntseti Bridge is located 54 km away from the Batumi, in the village of the same name, on Batumi - Khulo central motorway. The bridge is large and is supported by rocky piers. Rocks of volcanic origin were used for the construction on a lime mortar. Additional stone rows show that it had often been reconstructed during the years. In 2008 the bridge was fully reconstructed.

Furtio Arched Bridge

The bridge is in the village of Furtio, near the source of the Acharistskali River. The bridge formerly connected the old roads in the Skhaltistskali Gorge to the central roads passing through the Acharistskali Gorge, providing the shortest caravan road from Ardagani and Akhaltsikhe towards the Black Sea coast. The bridge has suffered some deterioration. The length of the main part of the bridge is 135 m, the width is 2.35 m and the height is 2.20 m. Tedo Sakhokia gives an interesting description of the bridge highlighting particular professionalism of the builders who chose a rocky soil as the foundation of the heads of the bridge. It explains the fact of how this monument still stands today as remain of the past.