Fortress of Elia

Elia Fortress is a medieval fortification located in Adjara, within Kobuleti Municipality. It stands on Mount Chakhati, at an elevation of 1150 meters above sea level, on a ledge terminating in a massive cliff. This fortress is an important historical monument. A legend holds that during the Ottoman Empire, this was one of the locations where enslaved people were traded.

The fortress has an oval shape. In some places, fragments of its walls reach 3–4 meters in height, while in other spots the rock itself serves as a defensive wall. The fortress walls, about 1 meter thick, were constructed from large cobblestones and rough sandstone. Remains of various structures have been discovered within the fortress grounds. Unfortunately, the tower that previously stood in the northern section has not survived to the present day. The total area of the fortress is around 80 square meters.

Two routes lead to Elia Fortress: from the settlements of Natskhavatevi and Gogmachauri. The best time to visit the fortress is any season, making it accessible to tourists year-round. This place is ideal for lovers of history and culture, as well as for those seeking interesting defensive fortifications in a picturesque mountainous terrain.