Location: Georgia, the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Gali Municipality, village of Tsarche.
Constructions inside the complex: the castle, the church.
Historical -architectural description: Near the village Tsarche, on the top of the high mountain is located the castle, walls of which are almost destroyed. The fence of the castle is followed by the relief of top of the mountain, that’s why its plan has an indecent elliptical shape, as it turns out, the southern side of the castle followed to the stripe of the rock and in the many places its bottom is sapped and brought down. Almost the same is in the East. The only north arc has been preserved on the 7-8 height. In the middle there is a narrow stone stair, to rise up to the combat path leading to the fence of the castle. On the wall of up to the 2 meter thickness there is constructed a fighters’ walking trail, on which there is enough space for two persons to freely bypass.
Both ends of the castle are very strongly damaged, because of this fact we don’t have any certain idea about its shapes. At the end of the eastern part there has certainly been standing a container, however whether it was one of the towers or the long trailer we cannot say till the place is cleaned.
In the western end of the castle there are the greater masses remained, but because of the damage there is also an uncertainty. There is great mass on that point of the castle, above which, on the height of 6-7 meters, is constructed the tower-like structure with a trapezoidal plan, out of which currently only the lower part has been remained.
There is one more detail – a reservoir, which is situated in the south-eastern section. It is almost filled. Its walls are well, firmly plastered.
Though it’s true that the castle is damaged, but all of its details point to the fact that it belongs to early times and represents one of the chains of the old castles.
Current condition: The territory is occupied by Russia, because of this fact it is impossible to study of the castle and conduct appropriate works. The walls of the castle are in a heavy physical condition and it needs quick conservation.
Tsarche fortress has been given the status of culture heritage monument.
