Rukhi fortress – This large fortress is the first monument to greet you as you enter Samegrelo, since it stands on the left bank of the Enguri River as you cross over from Abkhazia. It was buih by Levan II Dadiani in 1636, and withstood ever)’ siege for nearly 100 years. Finally, the Turks managed to breach its defenses and capture it in 1725. In 1769, the Turks fled the forts at Rukhi and Anaklia at the mouth of the Enguri when the Russians came to Georgia’s aid under the leadership of General Totleben.
The fortress occupies 5,000 sq. meters (18,000 sq. feet) and has walls three to four meters (10-13 feet) thick and seven to eight meters (23-26 feet) high. Its four lowers (12-14 meters/39-46 feet high) still stand. From the upper portion of the fort you have an excellent view of the Enguri Gorge.