Phasis

Phasis was an ancient city that sat where the Rioni River meets the Black Sea, near the modern port of Poti. Excavations have revealed building foundations, broken pottery, and metal objects scattered across different time periods.

Milesian Greeks founded the city in the 7th or 6th century BCE and turned it into a major trading hub on the Black Sea coast. It became a crucial link connecting eastern markets with the Greek world.

Greek settlers left their mark on this place with religious objects like silver bowls dedicated to Apollo that archaeologists have uncovered. The artifacts reveal how different peoples lived together and interacted through trade at this crossroads.

The site sits in a flat coastal area and is most easily reached from the port city of Poti. It is wise to visit during dry weather, as the ground becomes muddy after rain.

Ancient writer Strabo reported that up to 60 different peoples speaking their own languages came to this place for trade. This figure shows just how important it was as a meeting point between different cultures and lands.

GPS coordinates: 42.15000,41.66667

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:41