Gudauta resort city is a green oasis situated on the shores of the beautiful Black Sea bay bordered by beaches from gravel and sand buried in subtropical verdure. It is cozily perched on a small plateau between the sea coast and a chain of high snow-peaked mountains of the Major Caucasian ridge. The mountains there are very close to the beach. It is an Abkhazian resort with the most harmonious relations between the sea and the mountains. The vacation season in Gudauta lasts all year long. It is possible due to favorable climate with moderately warm summers (average temperature is +24 С ) and mild winters (+5 С ). These conditions are ideal for people with respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular system problems and metabolism infringements.
The entire territory of the resort is rich in citron and fruit trees. On elevated seacoast there is a city park with the monument to victims in the 1992 air crash.
Local residents relate the name of the city to the beautiful legend about love of a young singer Guda to princess Uta. The feud law which created hostility between their families stood on the way of love. Guda found it impossible to live without Uta and rushed to a rapid river. Uta followed him. That was the end of the sad love story which gave the city is name. In reality the name Gudauta is borrowed from the river Gudou flowing across the city.
Gudauta received the city status in 1926. The history of these land is dated back to BC times (neolith epoch) when ancient Abkhazian tribes came there. They were engaged in agriculture, hunting and fishery and set up Kistrik settlement (named after the small river Kistrik). In the beginning of our era the territory of modern Gudauta was occupied by Abkhazian tribe of Abzags which was mentioned by ancient authors. In the 11 th – 13 th centuries in vicinities of Gudauta numerous temples, fortresses and castles were built. In the Middle Ages Italian merchants transformed Gudauta into a trading station and named it "Cavo-de-Bucso" (“Palm harbor”). Then its history stopped. According to historians, Gudauta population moved to the foothills. And only in the 19 th century people returned there
On the current place of Gudauta there used to be a small settlement with one street of wooden houses. During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 Turkish vessels approached Gudauta and plundered its vicinities. Therefore even in the beginning of the 20 th century Gudauta remained an out-of-the-way town. However, the life in this picturesque are was soon got back to normal and the settlement got the city status. Very soon it turned into a remarkable resort. Today over 11 thousand people live there. All Gudaua landmarks are located in its vicinities. Lykhny and Mussera temples, fortresses and castles are among those.
Read more about Landmarks of Gudauta (vicinity)
