Gantiadi (Georgian: განთიადი [gɑnt’iɑdi] ; Russian: Гантиади) or Tsandryphsh (Abkhazian: Цандрыҧшь; Russian: Цандрыпш), is an urban-type settlement on the Black Sea coast in Georgia, in the Gagra District of Abkhazia, 5 km from the Russian border.

Gantiadi in historical times, was known as Sauchi (Russian: Саучи). Then, until 1944 as Yermolov, after the Russian general Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov. From 1944 until 1991, the settlement was known as Gantiadi (Georgian: განთიადი, Russian: Гантиади), from the Georgian word for Dawn. After the 1992-93 war in Abkhazia, Gantiadi was renamed as Tsandrypsh by the de facto government, but the name Gantiadi is still used informally among Abkhazians and widely in other languages. The name Tsandrypsh derives from the princely family Tsanba.

Gantiadi is said to have been the historical capital of the principality of Saniga before the 6th century AD. It later became the capital of Sadzen.

In 2011, Gantiadi had a population of 5,170. Of these, 55.9% were Armenians, 19.6% Abkhaz, 18.4% Russians, 1.2% Ukrainians, 0.9% Georgians and 0.7% Greeks.

Tsandryphsh houses a 6th-century Georgian Christian church.[4] A personal residence of Joseph Stalin is also located here.

Abkhazia is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Abkhazia and Georgia. The Republic of Abkhazia unilaterally declared independence on 23 July 1992, but Georgia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. Abkhazia has received formal recognition as an independent state from 7 out of 193 United Nations member states, 1 of which have subsequently withdrawn their recognition.




You need a valid passport or ID card to enter Georgia. Only Republic of Abkhazia and Republic South Ossetia need seperate visas.  Fifthy country citizens may enter and stay in Georgia without a visa for up to 365 days. Visit the Embassy of Georgia’s website for the most current visa information.
For more visa information please klick the link Georgian Visa