GeorgiaOfficial tourism
Nokalakevi

Where Rome's eastern frontier crumbled into legend

Nokalakevi

Why go

Nokalakevi is the fortress-citadel of Archaeopolis, the capital of Lazica that decided the fate of empires. In the 6th century, this strategic stronghold became the fulcrum of the twenty-year Lazic War between Rome and Persia—control of its Black Sea port meant mastery of trade routes to the north. The site layers Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early medieval remains across 20 hectares: cyclopean walls of the 4th-6th centuries, a royal palace complex, three churches, a bathhouse with intact hypocaust, and a necropolis with 63 rock-cut tombs. Archaeology continues here annually; you walk fresh trenches where gold Byzantine solidi and Sasanian silver still surface from the citadel's destruction layer of 697 CE.

On the ground See

  • The triple-walled citadel and 4th-century 'Great Gate' with Roman brickwork and medieval repairs
  • The 6th-century three-aisled basilica and adjacent bathhouse with visible heating channels
  • The rock-cut tombs of the necropolis, including royal burial chambers with carved facades

Practical Know before you go

Open year-round, 10am–6pm; 45 minutes by marshrutka from Zugdidi, then 3km walk or taxi from the village of Senaki—bring water, as shade is scarce on the acropolis.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly