US Embassy allocates $135,000 for conservation of 6th century Georgian fort mosaics
The US Ambassador said the remains of the fortress and its mosaics “truly symbolised” Georgia's connection with Europe. Photo: Cultural Heritage Protection Agency of the Adjara
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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".
Photos have emerged of the Petra Fortress - remains of a 6th century Roman outpost on the Black Sea coast - following a 2 million GEL ($584,000/€480,000) update of its visitor infrastructure, however the date of the reopening of the site is not yet established.
The Petra Fortress, remains of an early medieval fort on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, will soon boast brand-new infrastructure for visitors, cementing the place of the monument for the Adjara province.
Tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy a new route in mountainous Adjara, in the country’s west, starting from next year.
Fresh archaeological discovery at Georgia's ancient Black Sea coastline Petra Fortress has provided historians with insight of 6th century contest between the Byzantine and Sasanian empires, ahead of upcoming tourist development on the site.