Gonio Fortress: the 2,000-year-old Roman fort on the Black Sea

Just a few kilometres from bustling Batumi, near the Turkish border, stands one of Georgia's oldest archaeological sites: Gonio Fortress, known in antiquity as Apsaros. Its stone walls with 18 perimeter towers were built by the Romans in the 1st century AD and have stood for over 2,000 years.

Fortaleza de Gonio Georgia — murallas romanas siglo I Mar Negro cerca Batumi
The walls of Gonio Fortress, built by the Romans over 2,000 years ago

History: from Roman garrison to Christian relic

Apsaros was a strategic Roman military garrison for controlling access to the Black Sea and the trade routes into the Caucasus. The fortress has a wall perimeter of about 900 metres with 18 towers and four gates, following the classic castrum Roman model.

Inside the enclosure, ruins of Roman baths, an aqueduct and various structures have been found. Most fascinating is the tradition claiming that St Matthias, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus who preached in the Caucasus, is buried here. While there is no definitive archaeological confirmation, the tomb attributed to him is an object of veneration.

After the Romans, the fortress was controlled successively by the Byzantines, Arabs, the Georgian kingdom and the Ottomans before falling under Russian rule in the 19th century.

costa Mar Negro Georgia cerca Batumi — playa y fortaleza histórica
Gonio Fortress stands on the Black Sea coast, just a few km from Batumi

What to see at Gonio Fortress

  • Roman walls and towers: the best-preserved Roman enclosure in the Caucasus
  • Interior archaeological museum: finds from Roman, Byzantine and medieval excavations
  • Tomb of St Matthias: a place of pilgrimage and reflection
  • Ruins of Roman baths and aqueduct

How to get to Gonio from Batumi

The fortress is 15 km south of Batumi, next to Gonio beach. By taxi from Batumi it takes about 15–20 minutes (15–20 GEL). You can also get there by local marshrutka. Combine it with a stop at Gonio beach, which has calmer waters than Batumi. Museum entry: ~3–5 GEL.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Matthias really buried at Gonio Fortress?

It is a deeply rooted local tradition but without definitive archaeological confirmation. Excavations have uncovered Roman structures and objects, but the apostle's tomb has not been scientifically identified with certainty. The tradition is old and respected enough for the site to be a pilgrimage destination.

How much does entry to Gonio Fortress cost?

Entry to the archaeological museum inside the fortress costs 3–5 GEL (under €2). The outer enclosure is free to access.

Can Gonio Fortress be combined with a beach visit?

Perfectly. Gonio beach is right next to the fortress and has calmer, less crowded waters than Batumi. It is an ideal combination: fortress in the morning, beach in the afternoon.