SafekipediaSukhumi
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Sukhumi or Sokhumi is a city in a wide bay on the Black Sea's eastern coast. It is the capital and largest city of Abkhazia, a region that most countries consider part of Georgia. The city has been controlled by Abkhazia since the war in 1992–93.
Sukhumi is an important port, has an airport, and is a rail junction. It is also a popular holiday spot because of its beaches, sanatoriums, mineral-water spas, and warm climate. It is part of the International Black Sea Club.
The history of Sukhumi goes back to the 6th century BC, when Greeks settled there and called it Dioscurias. Over the centuries, it has been part of many different states and empires, including the Kingdom of Abkhazia, the Kingdom of Georgia, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire. During the early 1990s, as the Soviet Union broke apart, the city was badly damaged in a conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia. Today, its population is about 60,000, which is half of what it was before that time.
Toponym
In Georgian, the city is called Sokhumi (სოხუმი). In Russian, it is known as Сухум (Sukhum) or Сухуми (Sukhumi). The name Sokhumi comes from the Georgian word Tskhomi/Tskhumi (ცხომი/ცხუმი), which means "hornbeam tree" in the Svan language. In Abkhaz, the city is called Aqwa (Аҟәа), meaning "stony seashore".
Long ago, the town was known as Tskhumi in Georgian and as Suhum-Kale in Turkish during Ottoman times. The Russian name changed from Sukhum to Sukhumi in 1936, then back to Sukhum in 1992. Today, the most common name in English is Sukhumi, though Sokhumi is also used by some groups like the United Nations, Encyclopædia Britannica, Esri, and Google Maps.
History
Ancient history
Sukhumi's history started in the mid-6th century BC. It began as a place used by local tribes and later became a Greek colony called Dioscurias. The city was an important trading spot, bringing in goods from Greece and sending out local products. Many languages were spoken there by people from different places.
The city stayed important for many years, even when the sea moved closer. It became part of a larger kingdom and later changed its name to Sebastopolis under Roman rule. Over time, the city faced changes and challenges, including being taken over by different groups.
Medieval and early modern history
After damage from attacks, the town was fixed up and became a favorite place for Georgian kings during a golden time for Georgia. It grew as a trade center, especially after the Genoese set up a trading port there. The city had people from many backgrounds, including Armenian, Muslim, and Jewish merchants. It was a busy place for trade, sending out wax, wine, and grain, and bringing in cloth, luxury goods, and salt.
The town faced times of conflict and was taken over by different groups. It was later called Sohumkale by new rulers who built strong walls around it.
19-21st centuries
In the early 1800s, the town became an important place for Russia after being taken over by Russian forces. It was officially made part of the Russian Empire in 1864. Later, after big changes in Russia, the city became part of Georgia for a short time. In 1921, it became part of the Soviet Union.
By 1989, Sukhumi was a thriving city with many people. However, it became a center of conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia, leading to a war in the early 1990s. The city was badly damaged, and many people had to leave. Though it has been rebuilt, it has not returned to its former size or mix of people.
In 2021, the city saw some unrest that led to a leader stepping down.
Population
Sukhumi has had many different groups of people living there over time. In the past, some rules made it hard for local people to live in certain parts of the city. Because of this, many people from places like Armenia and Russia moved in.
Today, most people in Sukhumi follow different religions, including Orthodox Christianity, Armenian Christianity, Islam, and traditional Abkhaz beliefs.
| Year | Abkhaz | Armenians | Estonians | Georgians | Greeks | Russians | Turkish | Ukrainians | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1886 Census* | 0.1% (3) | 12.9% (53) | – | 27.9% (115) | 22.6% (93) | 28.9% (119) | – | – | 412 |
| 1897 Census* | 1.8% (144) | 13.5% (1,083) | 0.4% (32) | 30.9% (2,565) | 14.3% (1,143) | 21.1% (1,685) | 2.7% (216) | – | 7,998 |
| 1916 almanac** | n/a | 13.3% (8,250) | n/a | 40.6% (25,156) | n/a | 30.5% (18,890) | n/a | n/a | 61,974 |
| 1926 Census | 3.1% (658) | 9.4% (2,023) | 0.3% (63) | 23.3% (5,036) | 10.7% (2,298) | 23.7% (5,104) | – | 10.4% (2,234) | 21,568 |
| 1939 Census | 5.5% (2,415) | 9.8% (4,322) | 0.5% (206) | 19.9% (8,813) | 11.3% (4,990) | 41.9% (18,580) | – | 4.6% (2,033) | 44,299 |
| 1959 Census | 5.6% (3,647) | 10.5% (6,783) | – | 31.1% (20,110) | 4.9% (3,141) | 36.8% (23,819) | – | 4.3% (2,756) | 64,730 |
| 1979 Census | 9.9% (10,766) | 10.9% (11,823) | – | 38.3% (41,507) | 6.5% (7,069) | 26.4% (28,556) | – | 3.4% (3,733) | 108,337 |
| 1989 Census | 12.5% (14,922) | 10.3% (12,242) | – | 41.5% (49,460) | – | 21.6% (25,739) | – | – | 119,150 |
| 2003 Census | 56.3% (24,603) | 12.7% (5,565) | 0.1% (65) | 4.0% (1,761) | 1.5% (677) | 16.9% (8,902) | – | 1.6% (712) | 43,716 |
| 2011 Census | 67.3% (42,603) | 9.8% (6,192) | – | 2.8% (1,755) | 1.0% (645) | 14.8% (9,288) | – | – | 62,914 |
Culture
Sukhumi has many interesting places to see and learn about. The city has theatres that show plays from September to June. You can visit galleries and museums with beautiful Abkhaz art. The Sukhumi Botanical Garden started in 1840 to bring new plants to the Caucasus area.
Sukhumi is full of history. One famous spot is the Besleti Bridge, built in the 12th century. You can see old walls from Rome, the Castle of Bagrat, parts of the Kelasuri Wall, a Genoese fort, and an Ottoman fortress. Not far away is the Kamani Monastery, built over the tomb of Saint John Chrysostom. In the mountains, you can explore the Krubera Cave, one of the deepest caves in the world.
Sukhumi has Abkhazian State University, which is important for education in the area. The university started in 1979 and teaches many students.
Climate
Sukhumi has a humid subtropical climate. This means the weather is warm and moist for most of the year. The summers are cool and feel more like an oceanic climate, with mild temperatures.
Administration
In 2000, the leader of Abkhazia changed the mayor of Sukhumi. Over time, many mayors were appointed and then replaced. In 2004, after a vote, a new acting mayor was chosen. In 2007, some leaders were removed after an inquiry about money use. In 2014, after big changes in leadership, a new mayor was appointed.
List of mayors
Transport
Sukhumi has three trolleybus lines to help people travel around the city. There is a railway station where you can take a daily train to Moscow, stopping in Sochi.
The Sukhumi Babushara Airport started its first international flights on May 1, 2025.
Notable people
Sukhumi has been home to many interesting people from different fields. Some well-known individuals include Anton Alikhanov, a Russian politician and governor of Kaliningrad Oblast, and Alexander Ankvab, an Abkhaz politician who served as Prime Minister of Abkhazia. Other notable figures are Meri Avidzba, an Abkhaz female pilot who fought during the Great Patriotic War of 1942–1945, and Fazil Iskander, a famous Russian writer and poet. The city has also seen politicians, athletes, and artists grow up and make their mark.
International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Georgia (country)
Twin towns — Sister cities
Sukhumi has friendly connections with cities in different countries. These include:
Images
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This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Sukhumi, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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