Landmarks
Petra Fortress
პეტრას ციხე
Ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine fortress town by the sea at Tsikhisdziri, north of Batumi.
Petra is the ruin of a fortified town in Tsikhisdziri, Kobuleti Municipality, about 17 km from Batumi beside the main coast road. Emperor Justinian I had it built in the 6th century as Petra Pia Justiniana to secure Byzantine control of Lazica. It guarded a trade route linking the Black Sea coast with inland Georgia, Byzantium, Armenia and Persia.
During the Lazic War, Persian forces took it in 541. Byzantine troops recaptured it after a long siege in 551–552 and razed the fortress. Remains include a citadel on two seaside hills, a three-nave basilica, a bath and a cistern.
Good to know
- The site is next to the main road, about 17 km from Batumi.
- It is protected as the Tsikhisdziri–Petra Archaeological and Architectural Museum-Reserve.
Sources
Facts checkedFacts checked by Kartvelio on 20 October 2026.
The guide text is written with AI from the sources below; Kartvelio checks the facts.
- Petra Castle - Visit Ajara, consulted on 20 October 2026
- Petra, Lazica - Wikipedia, consulted on 20 October 2026
