US Embassy allocates $135,000 for conservation of 6th century Georgian fort mosaics

A $135,000 grant from the United States Embassy in Georgia will support conservation of mosaics discovered at the remains of the 6th century coastline Petra Fort in western Georgia’s Kobuleti municipality and its surrounding area.

The Cultural Heritage Protection Agency of the Adjara region on Friday said it had won the contest for the grant, which will conserve the mosaics of the 535-built fort that served as an outpost of the Roman Empire on the Black Sea and “safeguard the monument’s unique characteristics and historical significance”. 

Zaur Akhvlediani, the head of the Agency, highlighted the significance of the monument for the region, claiming the grant would be dedicated to conserving the “distinctive cultural heritage site and its discoveries”.

Robin Dunnigan, the US Ambassador to Georgia, visited the complex as part of the grant programme and was introduced to its history, saying the remains of the fortress and its mosaics “truly symbolised” Georgia's connection with Europe.

The diplomat pledged her office’s commitment to ensuring “future generations can appreciate this remarkable historic site".