Joekvar Gorge is one of the most amazing natural and historical monuments of Old Gagra. The gorge is located in the western part of the city, not far from the Gagra fortress. Its length is very long: starting from Gagarin Square and up to the source of the river Joekvara, which is high in the mountains.
Joekvara gorge was named in honour of the mountain river Joekvara. From the Abkhazian language its name translates as "12 springs". During ethnographic research ancient paths leading to the gorge were found. Most likely, it was along these paths that Caucasian "Spartans" (Ubykh people) ascended and descended in ancient times.
Abaata fortress, which was located near the gorge, was constantly exposed to attacks of mountaineers. Therefore, the military command of the fortress decided to completely cut down the forest around the place where the only crossing was located. In 1841 a watchtower was erected here. It should be noted that the tower was built by Danzas, who served in the Gagra regiment at that time. In historical literature the watchtower is referred to as the Marlinsky Tower, with which important battles in Russian history are connected. The remains of this half-destroyed watchtower can still be seen today.
Joekvar Gorge is a very interesting and beautiful place, which attracts tourists with its picturesque landscape, magnificent waterfall and winding mountain river, dense thickets of boxwood, chestnut, yew and other exotic trees. Above the entrance to the Joekvar Gorge there is a railway that leaves one tunnel and goes into another. There is also a railway station called "Gagra".
The proximity of the Joekvar Gorge to resorts and sanatoriums has made it one of the most popular excursion routes of holidaymakers.
