Fortress Abaata is a significant historical and architectural monument located in the city of Gagra. The fortress is one of the oldest defensive structures in the region, with its origins tracing back to the early medieval period, around the 5th-6th centuries. It was strategically built at the entrance to the Zhovekvara River gorge to control the passage along the Black Sea coast. Throughout its long history, the fortress has witnessed numerous conflicts and changes of ownership, having been held by the Abkhazians, Genoese, and Russians at various times. In the 19th century, the fortress grounds were partially dismantled, and a hotel was constructed on the site by Prince Alexander of Oldenburg as part of his development of Gagra as a resort. Within the fortress complex, the Church of St. Hypatius, dating from the 6th-7th centuries, is preserved. This early Christian basilica is constructed of limestone and is dedicated to St. Hypatius, a bishop of Gangra. The fortress now forms part of the Gagra Museum complex, which showcases archaeological finds and exhibits related to the history of Abkhazia and the fortress itself. The site offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area and the Black Sea.