the late 1980s, tensions grew between the Georgian and Abkhazian communities in the region. All-out war erupted between 1992-1993 which ended in a defeat of the Georgian government's forces. Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Georgians were expelled from their homes in Abkhazia and thousands were massacred in an outbreak of mass ethnic cleansing. Gagra and the Abkhazian capital Sukhumi were at the centre of the fighting and suffered heavy damage. Monuments The chief landmarks of Gagra are: Ruins of the Abaata Fortress (4th-5th century AD) A 6th-century Church of Gagra, said to be the oldest in Abkhazia Marlinsky defensive tower (1841) 19th-century palace of the Prince of Oldenburg International relations Twin towns — Sister cities Gagra is twinned with the following city: Vladimir, Russia. See also Gagra District Sochi conflict Notes References External links webcamera in Gagra Populated places in Gagra District Populated coastal places in Georgia (country) Greek colonies in Colchis Georgian Black Sea coast