Gonio Fortress or Gonio-Apsaros Fortress is located 12 kilometres south of Batumi, on the left bank of the river Chorokhi. It is the site of one of the oldest Georgian settlements that was located around the fortress, and a location with unique strategic importance. It protected the entrances to Chorokhi and Acharistskali Gorges, which connected inland regions of south-western Georgia with the Black Sea.
Due to this fact Gonio was a citadel first for the Romans and later for Byzantium and the Ottomans. The Fortress consists of several layers – the Roman (4th-3rd century BC), the Byzantine (6th-7th century) and the Ottoman (16th century).
The history of Gonio is closely connected with the legend of the Argonauts. According to the legend, it is here that the King Aeetes buried his son Apsaros, killed by Jason. It is believed that Mathias, one of the 12 Apostles is also buried here, making a significant Christian site.
