Abkhazia declared its independence from Georgia in 1999 following a period of conflict that began with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It is recognized as an independent state by Russia and several other countries, though not by the United Nations and, importantly, not by Georgia.
Railways arrived late in the country. In 1930, at a time when the entire Caucasus region was part of the Soviet Union, a line was opened from Senaki in Georgia to Gali, entering Abkhazia by a bridge over the Inguri river. Like other railways in Georgia, it was built to the Russian standard gauge of 1520mm. The line was extended to the regional capital, Sukhumi, in 1940 and a branch from Ochamchira to Tkvarcheli opened 2 years later. During World War II work began extending the line north from Sukhumi to the Russian border, where it would connect with the existing Russian network. The connection opened in 1949, completing the Abkhazian railway network of about 220km.
The bridge across the Inguri river was destroyed in 1992 when Georgian troops entered Abkhazia at the start of the period of conflict. The rest of the network suffered considerable damage in subsequent years. During the conflict, Russia closed its borders and the Abkhazian Railway was effectively isolated. The link to Russia was restored in 2002 and through trains began to run between Sukhumi and Moscow, operated by Russian Railways. It is believed that there is no longer any local traffic within the territory.
The 1.3 km, 900 mm gauge, Novy Afon Metro was opened in 1975 serving an important show cave complex in the Iverskaya mountains.
© 2004-2026 Glyn Williams
Photo image by Yakudza from Wikimedia Commons