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Petra Fortress

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Ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine fortress town by the sea at Tsikhisdziri, north of Batumi.

Kartvelio pickFacts checked· 20 Oct 2026
Petra Fortress

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.

Guide text written by Kartvelio AI.

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.

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Petra Fortress