The End of the Empire

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 1

This is an abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, former Russian territory. It stays untouched since the collapse of USSR – the railway connection of Abkhazia and Russia stopped and railway station left out of demand so nature could take over the left-overs of Soviet architecture. In my opinion it reminds somehow the Prince of Persia video game scenes or scenes from the movie of the abandoned civilization after some major disaster.

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 2

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 3

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 4

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 5

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 6

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 7

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 8

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 9

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 10

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 11

abandoned railway station in Abkhazia, Russia 12

via ru_sovarch

101 thoughts on “The End of the Empire”

      • Hey, I’m not abandonded, I receive Stinkin’ Igor,his brother Boris the Wanker and his wife soakin’ Olya every day at my house to drink a bottle or five. If I only had a house which was as comfortable as this one on the picture.

        Reply
      • Miss India, please educate yourself about the real Russia. Oh, sorry, I forgot women in India are property like chickens, and aren’t allowed to be educated.

        Reply
      • Miss India, take a look at your own country at first. That’s exactly what you have said about USSR + dirt, misery, poverty and etc. I’m sorry you were born there. Must be terrible! 😉

        Reply
  1. fantastic photographs.

    i would really like to use some in my visual compositions.

    could i ask for a set as high resolution raw files or similar please?

    many thanks for the photographs, they are stunning.

    john.

    Reply
  2. The third picture shows it to be right across from a large body of water (black sea?). Would make an awesome party pad. I wonder how much it would cost to buy something like this?

    I love posts like this BTW.

    Reply
  3. Huge contrast with the general Soviet and current day architecture !!
    Grey concrete blocks designed for storing people took the place of carefully designed and constructed buildings like this. Thank God in St. Pete there are still a lot left !
    And these premises deserve to be renovated.

    Reply
  4. Someone please save this beautiful building forfuture generations, so our great-grand kids won’t think we were a bunch of tasteless drones with no sense of architectural beauty!

    Reply
  5. Look carefully at the last photo. At 1/4 of the photo width to le left from its right side you see white concrete pillar of railway electricity, with insulator at the end of black steel beam.

    Reply
  6. yes this is what happens when u let dirty georgians take over, or just any muslims for that fact, they just ruin everything they touch

    Reply
  7. Indeed, beatiful building. And, of course, left by bad Abhazians. Isn’t it nice excuse to visit them with Red^H 54th Panzer Army to _save_ such beatiful architecture ? All russian soldiers are famous from their care for culture, buildings and inhabitants of other countries ?

    Reply
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  10. Liers! Soviet architecture??? Are you nuts or blind? These are typical Georgian “Black-Sea-style” buildings! And Abkhazia is a part of Georgia. As a result of the russian provokations, hidden agressions and the support to the Abkhazian rebells after the civil war in the 1991-1992 where thousands of Georgian civilians were killed and expelled, Georgia wasn’t able to reestablish the law and order in this part of the georgian territory. And that’s why such a places look like that!!!

    Reply
      • Such a places looks like that, because 80% of population of Abkhazia (mostly Georgians) are refuges and during the last 15 years Russian “Peacekeepers” were not letting them to return to their homes in Abkhazia.

        When Ex Russian president Boris Yeltsin’s Government bombarded Georgian cities of Abkhazia in 1992-93 I was 15-16 years old, but I remember like yesterday – September 27, 1993 ( Day of exaltation of The Holy Cross) – when Sukhumi was occupied by “Abkhazs”, Chechens and other north Caucasians terrorists and by Russian Federation Military Forces. Thousands of Georgians killed and hundreds of thousands left their homes.

        I also remember how Russians and traitor Mr. Shevardnadze (USSR ex foreign minister) organized military cup in Georgia, how Russia enforced Georgia to become a member state of CIS and how traitor Shevardnadze signed documents granting Russian occupants of Abkhazia and so called “South Ossetia” status of “Peace keepers”.

        In most of Abkhazia, displaced Georgians have never returned, but in district Gali, many did.

        At “inactivity” of the Russian “Peacekeepers” in Gali district were killed more than 2000 civilians of the Georgian nationality in 1994-2007 – during the duration of the “peace keeping” mandate.

        And some old Georgian scripts disappeared from our orthodox Churches in Abkhazia.

        Beginning VIII century until XIV modern Abkhazia was a part of the United Georgian Kingdom. Later part of western Georgian Kingdom of Abkhazia – Ruled by western branch of the Georgian Royal Dynasty – BAGRATIONI. – RUSSIAN TV IS NEVER SAYNG THIS

        In addition let me note that ALL PATRIARCS (HEADS OF THE CHURCH) OF THE (WESTERN GEORGIAN) PATRIARCHATE OF ABKHAZIA WERE GEORGIANS.

        The Orthodox Patriarchs of Abkhazia mostly came from the leading GEORGIAN noble houses, and were able to support the church financially and secure its continuous involvement in the political and cultural life of western Georgian Kingdom of Abkhazia.

        Nicholas (latter part of the 13th century)
        NOTE: – before that – after Byzantium moved away from western Georgia – from VIII century – church of Abkhazia was of course ruled by Patriarchs of the United Georgian Kingdom)
        Arsenius (c. 1390)
        Daniel (late 14th century)
        Joachim (1470s)
        Stephan (1490-1516)
        Malachia I Abashidze (1519-1540)
        Eudemios I Chkhetidze (1557-1578)
        Euthymius I Sakvarelidze (1578-1616)
        Malachia II Gurieli (1616-1639)
        Gregory I (1639)
        Maxim I Machutasdze (1639-1657)
        Zachary Kvariani (1657-1660)
        Simeon I Chkhetidze (1660-1666)
        Eudemios II Sakvarelidze (1666-1669)
        Euthymius II Sakvarelidze (1669-1673)
        David Nemsadze (1673-1696)
        Gregory II Lordkipanidze (1696-1742)
        German Tsulukidze (1742-1751)
        Bessarion Eristavi (1751-1769)
        Joseph Bagrationi (1769-1776)
        Maxim II Abashidze (1776-1795)
        Dositheus Tsereteli (1795-1814)

        During the all this period church and government official language in western Georgia (including Abkhazia) was only Georgian (Before VII century Greek).

        In the latter part of the 16th century, Catholicos Patriarch Eudemos I (Chkheidze) had to move his residence from Bichvinta (Pitsunda) to the Gelati Monastery at Kutaisi, fleeing the Ottoman and NORTH CAUCASIAN MUSLIMS– fake “Abkhazians”expansion into Historical Georgian Land of Abkhazia.

        The conflict in Abkhazia was heightened by the involvement of Russia, mostly on the Abkhaz side, especially during the war’s initial stages. Whereas Russia has endorsed the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia, Russian arms found their way into Abkhaz hands, Russian planes bombed civilian targets in Georgian-controlled territory, Russian military vessels, manned by supporters of the Abkhaz side, were made available to shell Georgian-held Sukhumi (Capital of Abkhazia).

        The motives of Russian military involvement have been the subject of much speculation. It has been regarded by some as post-imperial meddling, as genuine humanitarianism by others, and by still others as something in-between. The Russian role in this conflict has in part foreshadowed the brutal Russian behavior in Chechnya.

        Reply
        • Wow how unfortunate to be the part of the Russian republic. And people where talking how the us allowed New Orleans to stay in a disrepair state for two or three years.
          If anyone wants to see the direct result of a socialist/ fascist state, here’s a look. I’m so sorry for all those Georgians who had to flee the Russian military or those that fell fighting for their homes.

          Reply
      • You guys have a slight misspelling on the pics “old station in Abkhazia, RUSSIA”??? :)))) how typical of you… funny, tragical misconception and greed…
        awesome photos, (well, cos the place is sooooo overwhelmingly mind numbing), but watch your tags, they’re so over illiterate.
        cheers from sunny CA
        Claire

        Reply
        • the only illiterate person on this thread is you, Clarie.
          Georgia ids not a country, it is a temporarily self-governed territory

          Reply
  11. Such a places looks like that, because 80% of population of Abkhazia (mostly Georgians) are refuges and during the last 15 years Russian “Peacekeepers” were not letting them to return to their homes in Abkhazia.

    On September 27, 1993, Sukhumi was occupied by “Abkhazs”, Chechens and other north Caucasians terrorists and by Russian Federation Military Forces, thousands of Georgians killed and hundreds of thousands left their homes.

    In most of Abkhazia, displaced Georgians have never returned, but in Gali district, many did. But at inactivity of the Russian “peacemakers” were killed more than 2000 civilians of the Georgian nationality in 1994-2007 – during the duration of the “peace keeping” mandate. And some old Georgian scripts disappeared from our Churches in Abkhazia.

    The conflict in Abkhazia was heightened by the involvement of Russia, mostly on the Abkhaz side, especially during the war’s initial stages. Whereas Russia has endorsed the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia, Russian arms found their way into Abkhaz hands, Russian planes bombed civilian targets in Georgian-controlled territory, Russian military vessels, manned by supporters of the Abkhaz side, were made available to shell Georgian-held Sukhumi.

    Reply
  12. Russians mined Ganmukhuri village, Gali district in Abkhazia, Georgia
    29.11.08 15:12

    Russian occupants have mined Ganmukhuri village, Gali district. The aggressors have entered the territory on an armored carrier and UAZ car, from the side of Pirveli Otobaia village. The Russian militants have mined the place where Georgian police is patrolling.

    While mining Ganmukhuri Russian helicopters were flying over the territory and controlling the situation. Local population noticed the mines. A special group of sappers has gone to the village from Tbilisi. Clearing the field of mines is underway at the moment.

    Reply
  13. Mine blast injures local population in Gali district
    29.11.08 18:03

    Murman Orzhonia, 55, has blown up on a Russian mine in Tagiloni village, Gali district. The man has been taken to Zugdidi hospital. An urgent operation is being performed on his eye. The blast occurred when Murman Orzhomia was loading a car with sand at the administrative border between Gali and Zugdidi districts.

    Another explosion happened at the same place a little later. This accident has not been followed by casualties as well, although the injured population could not be managed to be taken to Zugdidi town. Russian aggressors did not allow them to cross the administrative border. The citizens have been taken to Gali hospital.

    Reply
  14. It should be added that Abkhazia has never been territoriiey Georgia. Abkhazia from old centuries was a separate principality, and Georgia was the neighboring principality. In 1921 – 1931 – Abkhazia – a sovereign independent state. And only thanks to Stalin, who was Georgian (Joseph Dzhugashvili his real name) forcibly annexed Abkhazia in Georgia. He and his right hand Lavrenti Beria (Mengrelia by nationality, born in Abkhazia) was poisoned by the President of Abkhazia (Nestor Lakoba), as well as tortured and shot his wife Sariyu and 14 year old son Rauf.After than leaving Abkhazia for 60 years, became the territory of Georgia. During this time georgians made it really Abkhazians all georgians, banned in all schools in the Abkhaz language, and started to move and Mengrelia Svanetians (mountain Georgians) on the territory of Abkhazia. By 1989. on census population in Abkhazia, the number of Abkhazians was – only 93 000 people, while the Georgians at that time there were already 274 000 people. The policy of persecution, denial of all the Abkhazian, bore fruit. During the war of 92-93 units of the Georgian effaceurs, destroyed all the archived data, which contained data on the history of Abkhazia, the Abkhaz scientists work, and they cast nearly vse Abkhaz intellectuals. Georgian Guardsmen burned a building of national archives. Justice has triumphed Abkhazs gained long-awaited independence, which fought and died. A fascist regime of Georgia has not yet been time since then has received a decent response.

    Reply
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  16. The best way to know is to do brute force searching. I’ve jumped on the virtual train in GE and travelled across the coast. Thanks to the 3rd photography, I identified the WW2 monument. The rest was pretty easy. The place is here:

    43.306676,40.254719

    Have a nice day

    Reply
    • Actually I believe it is in a different place, here:

      43.320177,40.240312

      The train tracks are just north of the building, and the War Memorial is south of the building across the road just above the beach at the left end of the building. You can just see ‘steps’ rising up the beach to the war memorial, I think.

      Reply
  17. I find it interesting that the Russians after forcing hundreds of thousands of Muslims out of Abkhazia during mukhadzhirstvo/мухаджирство in the 1860s. Is now helping Muslims ethnically cleanse 250,000 Georgians from Abkhazia. They must want there dachas back regardless of who’s doing the dirty work.

    Reply
  18. This is an amazing old station and the decay really lends itself to the photography. Incredible places like this exist. It looks cool all overgrown, but hopefully it won’t get so bad that it totally disintegrates!

    Reply
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  20. Very Beautifull Pics ! Congratullation for the photo takes , its amazing see the beautifull of Russia , the trees and the nature requesting that are their.

    A hug for all russian people of all soviet repubica 😉

    Reply
  21. Abkhazia has never been Russia! It was and always be Georgia !!! It has never been separated principality! We have so deep history don’t try to say it with two words! And the conflict that happened 20 years ago has totally different issues…This is a good picture of what Russia’s politics!!!

    Reply
  22. This is my absolute favorite post on English Russia. I come back time and time again to look at these photos. It truly is breathtaking and paints such a strong picture of how nature can powerfully take control of a place. It’s haunting, like a people were there one day-breathing, existing, thriving, and then the next day simply vanished, leaving behind beautiful architecture. I tend to ignore the comments because I don’t understand enough about Russian/Georgian/Abkhazian politics to truly grasp what is being said but I love, love the pictures. Readers of English Russia, whatever your political stance on Abkhazia might be, let us all pray for peace and be a simple of hope instead of bickering like children. We have to be the change in the world, the one candle in a sea of darkness.
    Thanks English Russia for such touching photos,
    Lo

    Reply
    • Hi, I Just want to say, that Abkhazia is the istoricl part of Georgia and Abkhazia, by itself, never was tha part of Russia, Abkhazia was part of Georgia, even during Soviet Union. Russia occupied this territory in 1993. 58% of pulation were Georgians and only 18% owere people, wich they call themselves Abkhazians. Now all about photos, until 1992, it was different life in there, but after Genocide and war, 80% of population left territory, so… Russia do not care about them… there are even ghost cities in Abkhazia, everithing goes down… and it is not safe to go there.

      Reply
    • maybe for you it is just wonderful photos, but for me it is my family tragedy. My family left house and graves of our lived ones and we can’t even go there… I was too yang to remember, but you must see the eyes of my mother, when she see those photos… and… plus lies… It is not soviet architecture, it was before soviets, Soviets occupied Georgia in 1921… It never was territory of Russia… you can check old maps.

      Reply

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